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JUNIOR  PARTNERS 


BY 


A.  M.  RAWSON 


CHICAGO,  ILL. 

WOMAN'S  TEMPERANCE  PUBLISHING  ASSOCIATION 
1892. 


COPYRIGHT,  1891 
By  A.   M.   RAWS  ON 

SAN  FRANCISCO,  CAL. 


I A II  Rights  Reserved} 


\\  WOMAN'S  TEMPERANCE  PT-SLISHIXG  A3SOCI AXIOM,  CHICAGO. 


TO 

H.  O.  ARMOUR 

A  FRIEND  OF  MY  BOYHOOD.  WHOSE  ENTERPRISE,  FORTIFIED 

BY     HONOR,   AND    STRENGTHENED   BY   TEMPERATE 

HABITS,  HAS  WON  FOR  HIM  A  PLACE  OF  HIGH 

RENOWN  IN  THE  COMMERCIAL  WORLD, 

THIS  VOLUME   IS  RESPECTFULLY 

DEDICATED  BY  THE  AUTHOR. 


\f* 


147 


CONTENTS. 


Page 

CHAPTER  I — CELESTINE'S  DEPAETURE  3 

CHAPTER  II — LOWMAN  AND  STONE'S  ' PLACE'  9 

CHAPTER  III — MRS.  SHARKEY  27 

CHAPTER  IV — A  CONSULTATION          -  47 

CHAPTER  V — JOHN  HALDON  SEEKS  MEDICAL  ADVICE  62 

CHAPTER  VI — JOSEPHINE  is  WARNED           -  87 

CHAPTER  VII — THE  PROFESSOR  MAKES  PROGRESS  98 

CHAPTER  VIII — THE  SCHEME  ENDS  DISASTROUSLY  121 

CHAPTER  IX — HALDON'S  COMMITMENT    -        -  139 

CHAPTER  X — THE  DELUSION  OF  WEAPON  AND  FIEND  145 

CHAPTER  XI — THE  GREAT  FIRE    -                -  161 

CHAPTER  XII — JUDGE  HERON'S  NARRATIVE      -  179 

CHAPTER  XIII — JOSEPHINE  HEEDS  THE  WARNING  200 

CHAPTER  XIV — THE  DEBUTANTE           -        -  212 

CHAPTER  XV — CELESTINE  MAKES  ANOTHER  CONQUEST  218 

CHAPTER  XVI — THE  DESPAIR  OF  INSANITY   -        -  237 

CHAPTER  XVII — EXIT  CELESTINE     -        -        -  256 

CHAPTER  XVIII — THE  LOVE  THAT  ENDURES         -  281 

JUDGE  HERON'S  INVESTIGATIONS        -        -        -  301 

SAME,  CONTINUED       ......  323 


ALCOHOLIC  INHERITANCE  ....  353 

INEBRIETY  A  DISEASE  .....      371 

AUTHOR'S  COMMENTS         .....  404 


INDEX  TO  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


"  IT'S  THE  BEST  ADVERTISEMENT  THE  'PLACE'  EVER  HAD"     Frontispiece 
SOCIAL  AGENCIES  -  Page    xi 

CELKSTINE  FOLSOM  ---.._         3 

"PROFESSOR"  BENTLEY  WARE  -  9 

LICENSED  VICE         -  -  ...        27 

"Do  YE  SUPPOSE  I'VE  BEEN  IN  THIS  BUSINESS  TWINTY  YEARS 

AND  DON'T  KNOW  THE  AMEENITIES  AV  IT?  "          -  -39 

A  MONUMENT  OF  ENTERPRISE  ...  47 

JOHN  HALDON  .......32 

HE  LAY  DOWN  BY  THE  WAYSIDE        -  87 

THE  PARTY  WAS  UNUSUALLY  HILARIOUS  -  98 

CELESTINE  ANTICIPATES  A  VICTORY     ....  117 

THE  PROFESSOR  LAY,  WITH  MANGLED  THROAT     ...      121 
"Is  THIS  I,  JOHN  HALDON?"  ....  126 

A  LUNACY  COMMISSION       --....      139 

THE  ALCOHOLIST  SEES  WEAPONS  145 

JUDGE  HERON'S  NARRATIVE        -  -       146 

JOSEPHINE  HALDON  ...      lei 

"THERE  is  No  PANG  TO  LEAVE  THE  WORLD  AND  Go  WITH  HM"      177 
IN  THE  OLDEN  TIME  -  -       179 

"You  HAVE  THE  ANSWER;  SHE  is  AN  AMERICAN"  -          -  195 

LESLIE  MONTFORD  -  -  -  200 

A  DEBUTANTE,  EAGER  IN  ENQUIRY     -  -  212 

A  YACHT  WAS  ROUNDING  UPON  A  RETURN  TACK  -  -  .  218 

"A  SCENE  OF  BEAUTY,  AND  A  SONG  OF  ENCHANTMBNT"      -  220 

"THIRTY-TWO  YEARS!"     -  ...      237 

TEAKS  FALL  IN  THE  ASYLUM  AS  IN  THE  HOME         •  •  249 

SHE  HAD  AN  AMPLE  WARDROBE  ....      256 

DR.  HORACE  MORTON    -  ....  281 

"  IF  WE  WERE  IN  BURLINGTON  WE'D  ALL  BE  ARRESTED"          -      294 


NOTE, 


THIS  work  deals  only  with  the  Social  and  Mental  Perils 
encountered  by  the  use  of  Alcohol,  and  the  writer  has 
endeavored  to  illustrate  all  the  phases  of  those  perils  in 
clean  language,  and  with  fidelity  to  truth. 


INTRODUCTORY. 


OCIAL  agencies  of 
an  ordinary  char- 
acter, whose  influ- 
ences are  little  sus- 
pected, are  at  this 
moment  working 
towards  the  degra- 
dation of  human 
nature. 

"  Each    genera- 
tion has  enormous 

power  over  the  natural  gifts  of  those  that  follow,  and 
it  is  a  duty  we  owe  to  humanity,  to  investigate  that 
power,  and  to  exercise  it-  in  a  way  that,  without  being 
unwise  to  ourselves,  shall  be  most  advantageous  to 
future  inhabitants  of  the  earth."  (Galton.) 

In  the  consideration  of  the  most  powerful  agency 
that  impels  to  this  degradation,  the  first  proposition 
is :  Alcohol  overcomes  the  restraining  power  of  the 
mind,  and  subjects  it  entirely  to  the  influence  of  envi- 
ronment. 


xii  INTRODUCTORY. 

The  next :  The  action  of  Alcohol  upon  the  brain 
and  nerve  centers,  produces  mania,  in  intensity  as  the 
volume  of  Alcohol  is  increased.  The  man  who 
stands  before  you,  his  face  flushed  with  the  excite- 
ment of  Alcohol,  has  in  his  brain  the  same  disorder, 
as  he  who  stands  over  you  with  glaring  eyes  and 
uplifted  knife,  and  who  would  spill  your  blood  to 
satisfy  a  delusion. 

Finally  :  This  mania  is  transmitted  to  posterity, 
and  it  develops  in  some  a  periodical  desire  for  Alco- 
hol, which  impels  them  to  excesses  and  crimes.  In 
others,  it  allows  freedom  of  mind  through  youth  to 
manhood,  then  leads  them  into  the  realms  of  insanity. 

If  this  be  true,  where  rests  the  responsibility  of 
checking  the  ever-swelling  streams  that  are  pouring 
into  those  overflowing  reservoirs  of  Dementia, 
named  "Asylums  for  the  Insane"? 

A  mighty  sickness  hovers  over  the  land,  and  all  its 
patients  are  not  in  asylums ;  but  in  the  palaces  and 
in  the  cottages,  among  the  offices  and  in  the  schools, 
are  to  be  found  the  doomed  victims  of  this  sickness 
of  the  mind. 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS 


1782147 


CHAPTER  I. 


Where  pansies  were,  grew  nettles ; 
Where  lilies,  deadly  nightshade. 

I S  T  E  R  Constance, 
we  can  only  sorrow 
that  this  must  be." 
Sister  Agnes' 
hand  dropped  to  her 
side  and  sought  the 
cross  that  hung 
amid  the  folds  of  her 
dress,  as  it  did  when 
thoughts  endanger- 
ing her  soul's  wel- 
fare entered  her 
mind,  or  when  calamity  was  threatened.  Checking  her 
hand  as  she  remembered  that  sorrow  for  the  loss  of 
friends  is  sinful,  and  a  rebellion  against  divine  purposes, 
she  placed  it  on  her  bosom  to  repress  the  sigh  that 
love  had  sent  to  her  relief,  but  it  escaped  with  its  bur- 
den of  grief.  Tears  betrayed  the  sorrow  of  Sister 
Constance  for  the  loss  of  the  favorite  pupil.  She  was 
much  the  younger,  and  to  her  the  companionship  had 
been  as  a  heavenly  indulgence,  a  pleasure  without  sin, 


4  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

consecrated  by  the  guidance  of  a  soul  to  knowledge 
and,  as  she  thought,  towards  Heaven.  Her  impulse 
was  to  question  any  reason  that  might  be  given  for 
this  unexpected  separation. 

"  She  has  only  been  with  us  one-half  of  the  time 
necessary  for  the  completion  of  her  education,  and  it 
is  for  the  interest  of  her  future  life  as  well  as  for  her 
soul's  welfare  that  she  should  remain  at  least  two  years 
longer.  She  has  not  yet  completed  her  musical  edu- 
cation, nor  her  literary  course,  nor  her  study  of  lan- 
guages, and  just  as  we  have  the  foundation  finished 
for  a  lady's  accomplishments,  she  should  not  be  taken 
away.  Sister  Agnes,  Celestine  is  only  seventeen  and 
her  mind  is  immature,"  and  Sister  Constance  went 
through  all  the  argument  necessary  to  refute  imagin- 
ary reasons  why  her  loved  pupil  should  be  called 
away.  Sister  Agnes  only  answered,  "  The  world  is 
thoughtless." 

The  sisters  remained  silent,  each  busied  with  the 
thoughts  occasioned  by  the  unwelcome  decision  that 
had  been  given  to  them  by  Celestine,  in  the  form  of  a 
letter  from  her  mother.  Polite  and  decisive,  it  said, 
"  For  family  reasons  we  wish  Celestine  with  us ; 
please  arrange  for  her  departure  on  the  first  of  next 
month." 

The  convent  bell  told  the  hour  for  afternoon  recre- 
ation and  the  song  and  laughter  of  girls  filled  the  air. 

The  sisters  had  bidden  Celestine  to  come  to  their 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  5 

reception  room  at  that  hour,  and  as  she  slowly  walked 
across  the  lawn  fronting  its  entrance  her  beauty  was 
intensified  by  the  full  sunlight  that  poured  upon  her 
and  illumined  her  tawny  hair  with  golden  tints  that 
changed  as  she  came  into  the  shadow  of  the  building 
to  a  violet  shimmer,  and  in  the  denser  shade  of  the 
entrance  to  a  deep  brown  gloss,  a  peculiarity  which 
conveyed  to  the  observer  the  sense  of  her  sometimes 
being  a  blonde,  again  a  brunette,  and  in  a  mild  light 
a  bewilderment. 

In  the  arrangement  of  her  hair  there  was  a  pecu- 
liarity consistent  with  that  of  its  color.  Cut  to  a 
medium  length,  a  wave  rolled  from  her  low  forehead, 
on  either  side,  and  fell  over  her  head  in  ripples  that 
broke  to  splashes  about  her  ears  and  among  the  laces 
around  her  neck,  as  if  at  some  time  it  had  resolved 
to  unfold  from  curls  but  had  desisted  when  the  intent 
was  half  accomplished;  and  the  smile,  that  upon  a 
side  view,  broke  from  a  dimple  upon  her  cheek  and 
flashed  across  the  full  red  lips  in  suggestive  waves, 
became  a  confiding  radiance  in  the  full  face,  spread- 
ing around  the  soft  brown  eyes  and  filling  their 
depths  with  a  look  of  innocent  trust. 

The  sisters  had  pointed  other  young  ladies  of  the 
school  to  her  modest  deportment  as  an  example  for 
emulation.  Her  dress  was  high  about  the  neck, 
admirably  fitted,  but  its  mission  seemed  to  be  a  re- 
vealment  of  a  perfect  bust,  a  long  and  shapely  waist, 


6  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

and  finely  molded  arms.  It  was  of  that  fit,  the 
nature  and  details  of  which  are  an  unsolvable  mystery 
to  man,  but  which  conveys  the  form  to  his  knowledge, 
as  of  a  statue  unveiled. 

These  worldly  thoughts  had  no  place  in  the  reflec- 
tions of  the  sisters,  who  stood  by  the  window  and 
kept  her  company  with  loving  eyes  until  she  had 
passed  from  their  sight  within  the  entrance.  They 
looked  upon  her  as  a  loved  pupil  whose  actions  were 
obedient,  modest  and  deferential,  and  who  had  studi- 
ously given  them  every  reason  for  approval  Her 
classmates  believed  her  to  be  insincere,  and  cited 
each  to  the  others,  instances  of  her  duplicity,  but 
as  these  were  not  observed  by  the  sisters,  they  held 
a  faith  in  her  innocence  and  hoped  for  her  en- 
trance into  the  folds  of  their  church. 

During  the  afternoon  Celestine  had  studied  the 
proper  thing  to  say  when  meeting  the  sisters  in  the 
reception  room,  and  this,  from  among  several  forms, 
was  her  choice:  "Sister  Agnes,  no  words  can  tell 
my  sorrow." 

As  she  spoke  a  shadow  of  grief  came  over  her 
face,  she  placed  her  hand  upon  the  shoulder  of  Sister 
Constance  and  dropped  her  head  upon  it.  Respon- 
sive tears  were  in  the  eyes  of  Sister  Constance,  but 
none  were  in  Celestine's  eyes.  Sister  Agnes  thought 
her  sorrow  too  deep  for  tears,  but  from  childhood  to 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS  7 

that  hour  tears  had  never  brimmed  the  eyes  of 
Celestine  Folsom. 

Advice  for  future  good  having  been  given  by  Sister 
Agnes,  and  wishes  for  happiness  and  friends  without 
number  by  Sister  Constance,  full  arrangements  were 
made  for  her  departure. 

The  day  came,  bringing  with  it  genuine  sorrow  for 
the  sisters  and  some  of  the  pupils,  but  no  striking 
manifestations  by  Celestine,  except  an  appropriate 
solemnity  of  features  and  a  low  spoken  goodbye.  As 
the  convent  school  was  located  in  Indiana  and  her 
home  was  in  Northern  Illinois,  she  would  spend  a 
whole  day  upon  the  train  and  arrive  at  home  in  the 
evening.  She  would  change  cars  at  Chicago.  The 
sisters  had  lovingly  thought  of  her  comfort  and 
secured  for  her  a  place  in  a  Pullman  car  as  far  as 
that  city. 

After  arranging  her  dress  and  herself  to  advantage 
in  the  seat  reserved  for  her,  she  looked  around  to  see 
among  what  manner  of  people  she  was.  To  her, 
they  were  all  commonplace  except  one.  This  was 
a  gentleman  of  middle  age  occupying  a  section  next 
below  the  one  opposite  hers,  and  who  sat  with  his 
face  toward  her.  She  could  look  beyond  him  to  the 
end  of  the  car  and  still  note  every  movement  and 
glance.  She  soon  noticed  that  she  compelled  his 
attention  and  she  became  interested.  She  knew  that 
this  attention  was  not  of  the  vulgar  sort.  By  his 


S  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

dress  as  well  as  by  his  respectful  manner  and  speech 
to  those  around  him,  she  knew  that  he  was  a  gentle- 
man. By  this  speech,  which  from  her  position  she 
could  hear,  she  knew  also  that  he  was  an  educated 
man,  and  a  merchant. 

An  inquiry  of  trivial  moment,  made  by  her  her,  led 
the  way  to  an  acquaintance,  after  which  he  gave  her 
the  courteous  attention  due  to  a  woman  journeying 
alone.  In  subsequent  conversation  he  asked  her  name, 
which  he  repeated  twice ;  asked  her  where  she  had 
been  ;  who  her  people  were  ;  and  he  pleased  her  with 
delicate  compliment.  He  escorted  her  to,  and  saw 
her  seated  in  a  favorable  and  comfortable  position  in 
the  train  that  passed  her  home,  and  as  he  bade  her 
goodbye  he  handed  her  a  card.  Her  face  lighted 
with  a  confiding  smile.  He  saw  that  smile  and  the 
deep  brown  eyes  in  the  memory  of  after  years.  The 
card  read,  "John  Haldon,  Chicago."  Celestine  put 
it  away  in  an  inner  pocket  of  her  reticule. 


CHAPTER  II 


A  decent  place,  my  masters,  yet  in  it  men  die,  and 
are  not  buried. 


i  j'of  .l Jjeatlcy  na 


arc 


JjkOWMAN,    is    there  any- 


thing to  be  got  from 
that  party,  in  my  line?" 
The  man  addressed, 
after  deliberately  admit- 
ting- this  proposition 
into  his  mind  as  beinof 

O 

somewhat  feasible  and 
perhaps  profitable,  took 
a  reflective  position 
that  assured  his  com- 
panion of  the  interest 
which  his  idea  had  in- 


spired, and  being  confident  of  a  satisfactory  solution 
of  the  problem,  continued  silent,  lighted  a  fresh  cigar 
and  made  deep  draughts  upon  its  Cuban  fragrance. 

Upon  the  streets  a  vigorous  north-easter  was  toss- 
ing the  dry  snow  which  had  been  falling  all  day,  and 
piling  it  in  huge  drifts  where  cross  currents  checked 
the  force  of  the  storm.  Street  cars  having  fought 
their  battle  and  suffered  defeat  early  in  the  day,  now 


10  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

stood  empty  and  disconsolate  up  and  down  the  tracks. 
Suburban  trains  had  continued  the  warfare  well  into 
the  afternoon,  then  capitulated,  and  massed  their 
engines  which  forced  their  way  to  the  round  houses 
and  went  to  sleep,  leaving  business  Chicago  to  re- 
main down  town,  or  to  get  home  as  best  it  might. 

The  cold  winds  of  Michigan  threw  upon  the  piers 
and  along  the  front  icy  breakers  that  drove  their 
chilling  echoes  through  the  storm,  from  street  to 
street.  Herdics,  hacks  and  omnibuses  moved  slowly 
and  silently  with  clogged  wheels  and  steaming  and 
tired  horses,  conveying  those  who  must  or  would 
reach  home;  but  thousands,  accepting  the  excuse 
which  was  sure  to  be  recognized  there,  remained  in 
the  business  centre  for  the  night.  Merchants  and 
salesmen  sought  their  customers  in  the  hotels,  or 
gathered  in  congenial  coteries,  and  dinner  mingled 
with  wine  laid  the  foundation  for  license  of  thought 
and  action. 

"  Well,  Professor,"  said  Lowman,  after  a  silence  so 
long  continued  that  this  individual  began  to  entertain 
doubts  of  his  ability  to  reach  conclusions,  "  there  is 
something  to  be  got  from  any  party  that  drinks 
whisky,  but  these  men  are  mighty  particular  who 
gets  in  with  'em,  and  if  they  knew  just  all  about  you, 
would  give  you  the  cold  shoulder  for  good;  might 
ask  you  to  take  a  drink,  if  you  was  around  when 
they  was  out  for  a  time ;  they'd  ask  anybody  they 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  11 

thought  wanted  one ;  but  as  to  getting  to  be  one  of  the 
company,  you  might  as  well  try  to  make  a  hot  punch 
out  of  ice  cream.  You  know  enough  about  them 
kind  of  people  to  know  they  don't  have  to  go  search- 
ing round  for  somebody  to  chum  with,  but  can  take 
their  pick  as  company  comes  along.  They're  edu- 
cated way  up,  too ;  they've  been  brought  up  in  busi- 
ness right  here  in  Chicago,  and  you  know  what  that 
means ;  it  means  they  are  sharp  as  tacks,  and  there 
ain't  but  one  thing  that  will  '  fetch  'em,'  and  that's 
whisky." 

"Fetch  'em?"  said  the  Professor,  "just  what  do 
you  mean  by  that  ?  They  do  not  drink  such  great 
quantities,  are  never  drunk,  and  as  they  look  pretty 
healthy  and  seem  to  stand  it  well,  I  do  not  exactly 
get  the  force  of  your  term  '  fetch  'em.' " 

"Well,  Professor,  I  forgot  you'd  never  been  in  my 
line  of  business,  and  hadn't  made  a  study  of  how 
that  thing  acts  on  that  kind  of  men ;  and  when  I  say 
whisky,  I  mean  anything  that  will  make  a  man 
drunk  ;  they're  all  alike,  only  flavored  different,  and 
when  I  say  fetch  'em,  I  don't  mean  kill  'em,  or  even 
to  get  'em  drunk.  I'll  just  illustrate  what  I  mean. 
You  see  that  man  Haldon  out  there.  He  come  to 
this  town  when  he  was  a  youngster,  and  he  was  just 
as  fine  a  looking  youngster  as  he  is  a  fine  looking 
man  now.  He  was  just  out  of  school,  and  a  thurrer 
education  he  had,  too.  Well,  he  went  clerking  in 


12  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

Stetson  and  Burley's,  that  big  house  over  there  on 
Wabash  avenue.  He's  a  partner  there  now,  and  he 
got  to  be  a  salesman  in  a  little  while  after  he  went 
in,  and  used  to  do  what  them  people  call  '  entertain 
customers.'  Stetson,  and  Burley,  too,  associate  with 
the  church-folks,  usually,  and  they  never  enter- 
tained; used  to  use  liquor  at  home,  though,  'cause 
when  I  kept  the  'Thistle'  over  there  on  State  street, 
Burley  used  to  buy  Scotch  whisky  of  me  in  the 
winter,  and  Stetson  bought  lots  of  cognac  brandy  and 
Bass'  ale  at  all  times  of  the  year.  They  both  trade 
with  me  now,  but  never  come  here. 

"  Well,  as  I  was  saying  about  Haldon,  when  he 
was  entertainin'  he'd  bring  his  customers  around  to 
the  '  Thistle,'  'cause  I  had  it  fitted  up  nice  and  knew 
how  to  treat  folks  and  kept  the  very  best  there  was 
to  be  had.  He  didn't  drink  much  then,  but  the  way 
he'd  fill  up  them  countrymen,  and  show  'em  things 
around  town,  and  take  'em  into  the  store  next  day 
and  sell  'em  all  and  more  than  they  came  to  town 
for,  was  the  remark  of  all  the  trade. 

"He  was  sharp,  too.  He  knew  they  was  most 
all  willing  to  mix  pleasure  with  business,  and  if  they 
went  out  with  a  man  like  himself,  that  they  trusted, 
and  knew  never  would  tell  things  they  said  or  did, 
they  would  be  off  their  guard  and  sorter  let  them- 
selves out,  and  then,  you  see,  he  had  'em  for  all  they 
wanted.  He  spent  lots  of  money  on  'em,  too,  and 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  13 

the  firm  never  questioned  his  expenses  for  enter- 
taining, and  they  must  have  known  what  the  money 
went  for,  but  you  see  the  orders  next  day  was  what 
they  was  looking  after,  and  as  they  always  got  "em, 
they  kept  still. 

"  Well,  you  know  it's  natural  if  a  man  drinks  every 
day,  as  he  had  to  with  his  customers,  and  he  had  lots 
of  friends  too,  that  such  thin  drinks  as  ale  and  wine 
don't  seem  to  touch  the  spot,  so  he  got  to  taking 
whisky  sours  and  such,  and  drank  regular  day  times, 
and  once  in  a  while  them  country  men  and  him  would 
get  on  a  regular  time,  but  nothing  was  ever  said  of 
it,  for  money  would  pay  all  damages,  and  he  had 
plenty.  Some  other  house  offered  him  big  money, 
but  Stetson  and  Burley  couldn't  spare  him,  so  he  was 
let  into  the  firm,  and  then  it  was  Stetson,  Burley  & 
Co.  Haldon  is  the  company. 

"I  never  knew  of  his  playing  cards  until  about 
two  years  after  he  went  into  the  firm.  One  night, 
it  was  about  such  a  night  as  this  only  not  so  bad, 
him  and  the  head  salesman  in  a  big  wholesale  cloth- 
ing house,  and  a  partner  in  a  big  dry-goods  house, 
and  a  big  merchant  from  Denver,  came  into  my  place 
about  eleven  o'clock ;  'twasn't  the  first  place  they'd 
been  in,  and  I  see  they  was  in  for  a  time  ;  the  Denver 
man  was  a  customer  and  they  was  entertaining  him. 
I  was  on  watch  myself  that  night  and  was  supposed 
to  close  up  at  twelve  o'clock,  but  with  a  party  like 


14  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

that  in  my  place  I'd  keep  open  all  summer.  They 
had  money  enough  with  'em  to  buy  out  half  a  dozen 
such  places  as  mine  was  then,  and  after  they'd  taken 
a  round  or  two  at  the  bar,  went  into  the  private  room. 
They  called  for  cards  and  ordered  a  half  dozen  'extra 
dry '  put  on  ice.  When  I  took  the  first  bottle  in,  it 
was  a  surprise  party  for  me.  They  had  the  table 
half  covered  with  bills  and  was  playing  poker.  I 
had  to  stay  and  wait  on  'em,  of  course,  and  at  twelve 
I  locked  the  door  and  went  into  the  room  to  look  on. 

"  Professor,  the  way  them  people  played  poker  was 
a  sight  to  look  at.  They  didn't  know  nothing  about 
playing  for  keeps,  and  if  one  of  them  lost  a  fifty  on  a 
hand  it  was  all  right,  get  it  back  next  hand.  If  you'd 
been  there  you'd  had  every  note  on  the  table  in  an  hour, 
and  they  play  just  that  way  now ;  don't  lose  much  ;  if 
they  do,  don't  mind  it ;  plenty  more  where  that  came 
from. 

"  And  the  amount  they  drank,  well,  that  don't  sur- 
prise me,  for  you  see  I  know  how  it  is,  nobody  ever 
sees  'em  drunk,  they  never  get  drunk.  You  see,  they're 
well  fed,  and  have  strong  brains  ;  drink  every  day, 
year  after  year,  making  the  doses  bigger  gradual,  and 
they  can  always  handle  themselves.  Why,  Professor, 
I  know  men  that  come  here  and  drink  enough  in  a 
day  to  make  me  drunk  a  month,  and  their  friends 
and  families  don't  know  they  drink  regular,  but  just 
think  they  take  a  glass  once  in  a  while  when  they 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  15 

don't  feel  well.      I  could  surprise  some  folks,  I'm  tell- 
ing- you,  but  it'll  fetch  'em  in  the  end. 

"  You  see,  whisky  acts  this  way  on  a  man,  and  I 
don't  care  how  good  a  man  he  is  either  ;  he  kinder 
seems  to  forget  himself.  Some  folks  think  that  it 
just  brings  out  what's  in  a  man,  but  I  know  that's  all 
gammon,  it  only  fixes  him  so  he'll  agree  with  any- 
thing that's  going  on  around  him,  and  just  naturally 
does  up  his  judgment,  and  the  longer  they  drink,  the 
easier  it  is  to  get  away  with  'em.  Ain't  stinginess 
natural  with  some  folks?  Well,  I've  seen  them  kind 
of  fellers  just  throw  away  money  when  they  got  full  ; 
they  most  always  do  it.  I  tell  you  that  whisky  puts 
into  a  man  what  ain't  naturally  there,  every  time.  I 
don't  care  if  he  only  takes  one  drink,  he's  that  far 
gone.  What  does  a  fellow  drink  for,  when  he  goes 
to  a  ball  ?  'Cause  he  knows  he'll  feel  just  according 
to  what's  going  on  around  him,  and  if  the  women  are 
good,  he'll  be  only  lively  and  entertaining,  but  if 
they're  bad,  it  satisfies  him  all  the  same,  and  he  does 
according  to  their  ideas ;  and  a  woman  that  drinks- — 
well,  she's  just  awful  ;  and  ain't  women  naturally 
good  ?  Yes,  a  heap  sight  better  than  men,  and  where 
does  it  send  them  to  ? 

"  Now,  it's  as  easy  as  nothing  to  get  what  you  want 
out  of  that  party,  if  you  get  about  it  right.  I  ain't 
got  much  eddication,  but  I  know  a  heap  about  this 
business. 


16  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

"  If  you  can  get  in  with  'em,  so  they'll  think  you 
are  a  man  of  some  decent  standing,  you  wouldn't 
want  any  better  thing,  but  you'll  have  to  be  pretty 
slick.  They're  round  a  good  deal ;  you'd  meet  'em 
pretty  often  ;  and  if,  after  a  while,  they  should  find 
out  things  about  you,  they  couldn't  shake  you  alto- 
gether, 'cause  while  they  was  learning  you,  you  could 
be  making  points  on  them,  and  if  you're  smart,  get 
'em  into  some  things  they  wouldn't  like  to  have 
known,  and  then  you'd  have  'em. 

"  Now,  I'll  tell  you,  Professor,  one  thing,  I  ain't 
here  just  for  fun.  Them  people  all  like  me  and 
wouldn't  believe  that  I'd  do  anything  that  wasn't  for 
their  interest,  and  if  I'd  introduce  you  as  a  gentleman 
and  business  man,  they'd  consider  you,  and  I  am 
going  to  be  plain  with  you.  If  'twasn't  for  me,  you 
couldn't  get  there  at  all,  and  whatever  you  make,  I 
want  a  divvy.  You  can  hold  your  own  with  'em ; 
you  know  about  mining  and  western  stock-raising  ; 
you  know  more  about  cattle  than  they  do  ;  you  can 
oe  a  stock  man  from — let's  see,  where  you're  from  ? 
It  must  be  pretty  far  west,  'cause  them  people  are  well 
acquainted  most  all  over  the  United  States,  and 
would  be  asking  if  you  knew  this  one,  and  that  one, 
in  most  any  town  you  was  a  mind  to  mention,  this  side 
of  the  Rockies.  I'll  introduce  you  as  a  stock  man 
from  Idaho,  and  you  hadn't  better  be  from  any  of  the 
larger  towns,  like  Boise  City,  either.  I'll  just  say 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  17 

from  Idaho,  and  when  they  want  to  know  your  loca- 
tion, you  can  tell  'em  your  range  is  near  some  little 
place  in  the  territory,  and  you  make  that  your  head- 
quarters, when  you  are  at  home.  You  mustn't  pick 
out  any  place  that's  got  more  than  a  one-horse  coun- 
try store  ;  if  you  do,  they're  sure  to  be  better  acquainted 
there  than  you  are,  and  will  get  right  onto  you.  False 
pretenses  will  have  to  have  a  fine  edge  if  you  fool 
them  kind  of  people." 

Much  of  this  advice  was  not  needed  to  strengthen 
the  Professor's  expected  relations  with  the  Haldon 
party.  The  habit  of  acquiring  knowledge  by  observ- 
ation, and  its  appliance  by  imitation,  enabled  him  to 
deport  himself  agreeably  among  all  classes.  He  was 
the  son  of  a  woman  who  called  herself  a  widow,  and 
who,  in  unguarded  moments  of  self-laudation,  boasted 
of  relationship  and  former  association  with  people  of 
intellectual  and  social  strength,  but  who  avoided 
definite  details  when  referring  to  her  past  history.  He 
began  life  in  the  upper  back-room  of  a  Clark  street 
tenement.  Of  his  own  family  history  he  knew  nolh- 
ing.  He  knew  that  when  his  mother  went  to  her  work 
she  left  him  with  the  woman  next  door,  and  that  she 
paid  the  woman  for  services  never  rendered,  but  who, 
as  soon  as  his  mother  was  well  away,  allowed  him 
free  range  of  the  halls  and  adjoining  alleys,  and  even 
at  the  early  age  of  four  years  he  was  shrewd  enough 
to  conceal  from  his  mother  the  fact  that  her  solicitude 


18  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

for  his  welfare  was  being  imposed  upon  ;  for  the  com- 
pany in  the  alley  suited  him,  and  the  inattention  of 
the  woman  next  door  pleased  him.  He  knew  that 
at  the  age  of  six  he  was  sent  away  to  school,  and  that 
before  he  was  sent,  was  well  dressed  and  had  a  nice 
reserve  of  clothing ;  he  knew  that  some  one  paid  his 
board  at  school,  but  never  knew  who  ;  and,  as  the 
school  did  not  suit  him,  he  left  it  at  the  age  of  eight, 
and  beat  and  begged  his  way  to  New  York.  He 
never  saw  his  mother  again,  and  she  never  sought 
for  him. 

Somewhere  along  the  line  of  his  ancestry  there  was 
a  progenitor  of  great  ability,  and  some  of  his  quali- 
ties were  transmitted  to  the  Professor.  In  the  same 
line  must  have  been  a  black  sheep,  not  of  the  family 
but  of  the  race,  be  it  Saxon,  Celtic,  or  Gaelic,  he 
knew  not,  and  from  him  to  the  Professor  there  was  a 
clean  transmission  of  heredity,  a  sealed  package  ex- 
pressed through  ancestry  and  delivered  in  perfect 
condition,  without  the  loss  of  an  attribute. 

His  employment  in  New  York  comprised  the 
whole  line  of  light  service,  from  errand  boy  to  tele- 
graph messenger.  Anything  in  which  a  chance  pre- 
sented itself  to  get  something  for  nothing  was 
entirely  in  his  line  also.  Various  sums  of  money 
and  articles  of  value,  lying  contiguous  to  his  sphere 
of  action,  disappeared  and  no  trace  could  be  found  of 
them  afterwards.  At  the  age  of  twelve,  anadventur- 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  19 

ess  who  had  corresponded  with  a  wealthy  cattle 
rancher,  near  Denver,  and  who  for  the  furtherance 
of  her  schemes  had  need  of  a  son  about  his  age, 
took  him  there  with  her,  and  so  successfully  did  he 
assume  the  character  that  the  old  gentleman  fell  in 
love  with  him,  as  well  as  his  supposed  mother,  and  by 
the  aid  of  their  combined  shrewdness,  they  swindled 
the  rancher  out  of  a  fine  sum  of  money,  gracefully 
and  effectually.  He  then  used  his  knowledge  to  his 
own  advantage,  made  the  woman  divide,  left  her 
and  drifted,  went  on  cattle  ranges,  into  new  mining 
towns,  anywhere  that  promised  a  field  for  financial 
operations  yielding  large  returns  for  small  or  no 
investment  A  gentleman  in  appearance,  suave  and 
attractive  in  manner,  and  an  adept  at  cards  and  all 
social  games,  he  was  enabled  with  the  first  qualities 
to  enter  wealthy  circles,  and  with  the  latter  to  profit 
thereby. 

He  was  supposed  to  be  a  geologist,  and  from  this 
belief  arose  his  familiar  appellation  of  "  Professor." 
He  had  learned  from  observation  and  some  super- 
ficial study  to  know  the  different  kinds  of  minerals 
contained  in  rocks  of  different  colors  and  peculiarities. 
This  constituted  his  full  knowledge  of  geology.  He 
would  occasionally  "grub  stake"  an  impecunious  or 
dissipated  miner  and  cheat  him  out  of  the  results  of 
his  find.  In  obedience  to  the  cowardly  instincts  of 
men  of  his  sort,  he  at  one  time  took  a  revolver  and 


20  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

killed  a  man  of  his  own  class  who,  he  feared,  if 
opportunity  offered,  would  do  the  same  to  him,  and 
he  shot  him  in  the  back.  In  his  drifting  he  drifted 
to  Chicago,  and  had  plenty  of  money  to  invest  in 
anything  that  would  pay  a  handsome  dividend.  This 
was  "Professor"  Bentley  Ware.  Lowman  knew  of 
his  history  and  his  character  ;  he  also  was  full  aware 
of  his  evil  intentions. 

What  can  be  said  of  the  influence  and  tendency  of 
a  business  the  members  of  which  will  present  a  man 
of  Ware's  class  to  the  company  of  gentlemen  who 
are  customers  and  friends,  for  the  ultimate  purpose 
of  illegitimate  gain  ?  With  occasional  exceptions, 
this,  or  other  methods  leading  to  the  same  result,  is 
used  among  all  grades  of  saloons,  from  the  gilded 
palace  of  the  city  that  pays  a  royal  license  to  the 
skulking  cabin  in  the  mountains  that  evades  the 
revenue.  This  is  a  feature  of  the  business. 

The  foregoing  conversation  and  scheming  took 
place  in  the  private  office  of  what  was  popularly 
known  as  "  Lowman  and  Stone's  Place."  This 
designation  was  grateful  to  the  partners  of  the  firm, 
especially  so  to  Lowman,  whose  aim  when  establish- 
ing the  business  was  not  to  cloak  its  real  nature  from 
the  general  public,  but  to  eliminate  as  far  as  possible 
from  the  popular  mind  the  idea  of  a  common  saloon. 
At  various  times  during  his  career  Lowman  had 
transacted  business  under  such  names  as  "  The 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  21 

Office,"  "The  Club,"  "The  Thistle,"  etc.,  and  always 
with  the  same  end  in  view,  that  of  giving  an  im- 
pression of  a  higher  grade  establishment,  more 
respectable,  and  more  worthy  of  the  patronage  of 
gentlemen  than  the  hundreds  of  drinking  places 
known  as  saloons.  This  was  in  deference  to  a  rec- 
ognized sentiment  entertained  by  a  class  of  citizens 
whose  views  on  all  subjects  were  far  from  broad,  and 
whose  ideas  of  their  relation  to  the  rest  of  mankind 
were  not  fashioned  by  thought.  They  maintained 
that  a  saloon  could  be  conducted  in  such  a  manner  as 
to  be  respectable,  and  from  which  none  of  the  evils 
should  emanate  that  had  brought  obloquy  and  dis- 
repute upon  the  business  by  transactions  in  like  resorts 
of  a  lower  order. 

The  astute  and  experienced  Lowman  selected  a 

room  on  street,  just  on  the  borders  of  the 

wholesale  trade,  contiguous  to  the  large  hotels,  and 
almost  surrounded  by  retail  houses.  A  plain  gilt 
sign  over  the  front  announcing  the  firm  name  was 
all  the  information  given  to  the  public  that  business 
was  transacted  within.  A  convenient  alley  entrance 
gave  secret  ingress  to  those  who  feared  th«  dis- 
pleasure of  employer,  or  the  reproach  of  family. 

Lowman  was  a  master  of  his  business.  He  was 
the  ideal  to  which  all  of  his  class  strive  to  attain. 
Alike  in  character  and  aims  ;  varying  only  in  degree 
of  intelligence  and  tact ;  occupying  a  social  position 


22  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

just  where  the  world  of  respectability  and  the  world 
of  degradation  meet ;  belonging  by  right  of  nature  to 
the  latter,  but  striving  to  mingle  with  the  former  for 
purposes  of  gain.  These  men  give  much  thought  and 
ability  to  those  things  pertaining  to  the  stability  of 
their  unique  position. 

In  all  of  its  appointments  the  "  Place"  was  above 
reproach.  Rosewood  and  cherry,  gold  plate  and  silver 
finish  embellished  the  bar,  the  ample  length  of  which 
was  measured  by  mirrors  of  great  dimensions,  whose 
reflection  presented  to  the  eye  a  suggestion  of  im- 
mense space.  Expensive  cut  and  ornamental  glass 
ware,  nicely  arranged  to  please  the  taste  of  cultivated 
patrons,  was  at  the  hand  of  deft  attendants,  who  in 
clean  apparel  and  well  barbered  stood  awaiting  orders. 
Upon  the  walls,  in  prominent  spaces,  hung  paintings, 
rare  blendings  of  merit  and  prurient  suggestion,  in 
which  genius  had  spent  its  powers  to  degrade  the 
form  of  woman. 

In  adjacent  wine  and  lunch  rooms,  where  indulg- 
ence in  dinner  or  cards  was  privately  accommodated, 
were  drawings,  wood-cuts  and  engravings  of  subjects 
grateful  only  to  minds  corrupt  by  nature  or  degraded 
by  association  and  the  deadening  influence  of  alcohol. 
Some  of  the  cuts  and  drawings  were  from  the  hands 
of  local  artists,  who,  for  an  indulgence  at  the  bar, 
gave  to  immorality  a  certain  piquant  attraction,  like 
Belot  and  De  Maupassant  in  the  latest  French  school 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  23 

of  novelists,  and  this  was  a  fair  exchange  ;  poison  for 
poisoned  thoughts  ;  sign  boards  pointing  to  degrada- 
tion for  degradation's  choicest  coin. 

Haldon  had  left  his  companions,  who  were  discuss- 
ing the  merits  of  a  new  painting  that  had  recently 
been  given  a  place  opposite  the  bar,  and  which  was 
the  object  of  more  than  usual  interest  and  admiration 
on  account  of  the  purity  of  the  subject  and  the  sub- 
tlety of  its  suggestions,  and  entering  the  office, 
requested  Lowman  to  order  served  in  one  of  the 
private  rooms  a  generous  dinner  for  four. 

This  was  a  convenient  occasion  for  the  introduc- 
tion of  Ware,  and  was  also  opportune,  as  it  gave  an 
appearance  of  being  unsought,  merely  a  courtesy. 
Haldon  courteously  responded  to  the  pleasure  given 
to  Mr.  Ware  by  an  acquaintance  with  a  representative 
Chicago  merchant,  and  retired  to  the  company  of  his 
friends  with  whom  he  entered  the  room  selected  for 
their  entertainment. 

The  Professor  had  noticed  that  Haldon's  eye  sought 
his  with  a  suggestion  of  inquiry,  and  felt  its  potency 
in  discovering  correct  answers  to  questions  regarding 
character  and  reliability.  He  had  not  held  his  own 
against  that  glance,  and  was  fearful  that  any  further 
advance  towards  an  acquaintance  would  be  politely 
checked,  and  suggested  to  Lowman  that  his  energies 
might  better  be  expended  in  the  pursuit  of  smaller 


24  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

game  where  experienced  judgment  would  not  be  such 
an  effective  protection. 

"  Professor,  that  remark  shows  a  weakness  in  you, 
or  else  you  don't  know  so  much  about  things  as  you 
ought  to,"  said  Lowman.  "They's  no  man  living 
that  can  hold  his  own  against  whisky  in  his  own 
head  and  the  brains  in  another  man's  who  keeps  his 
clear." 

"Well,  Lowman,  you  know  that  I  have  never  had 
much  experience  with  men  of  Haldon's  class,  and 
have  always  had  an  idea  that  they  knew  too  much  to 
be  deceived  by  any  one,  and  could  always  judge  a 
man  so  quick  that  he  would  have  no  chance  to  work. 
Did  you  see  the  look  he  gave  me?  It  seemed  to  me 
that  it  went  all  through  me,  and  that  he  could  tell 
what  I  was  thinking  about,  and  that,  you  know, 
gives  a  man  an  advantage  over  you." 

"  I  admit,  Professor,  that  you  stand  no  chance 
with  him  under  ordinary  circumstances,  but  you  see 
if  a  man  drinks  every  day,  that's  different.  You  go 
right  ahead,  and  if  ever  you  don't  know  how  to  act,  ' 
come  to  me,  and  if  you  do  as  I  say  and  get  bluffed, 
he'll  be  the  first  man  I  ever  knew  that  could  keep  all 
right  and  drink  whisky  at  the  same  time." 

Ware  put  on  his  overcoat,  saying  that  he  would  re- 
turn in  an  hour,  and  went  upon  the  street.  Low- 
man rang  for  a  messenger  and  sent  this  note  to  his 
partner : 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  25 

"Stone,  you  needn't  come  down  to-night.  I'll  take 
your  place,  though  it's  my  night  off.  I've  got  some- 
thing to  tend  to  that  you  can't  handle.  LOWMAN." 

It  will  not  be  necessary  to  give  the  conversation  of 
Haldon  and  his  party  during  the  time  of  dinner  and 
the  subsequent  enjoyments.  A  common  interest  pre- 
sented agreeable  subjects,  and  an  equality  of  social  and 
mercantile  standing  favored  a  freedom  of  speech  that 
sometimes  exceeded  the  license  of  propriety,  especially 
during  the  later  hours. 

Ware  returned  to  the  company  of  Lowman  and  the 
evening  passed  on  with  them  in  smoke  and  in  a  silence 
broken  occasionally  by  remarks  about  the  storm 
outside,  or  comments  on  the  party  within,  from 
whose  room  frequently  came  the  sound  of  laughter 
and  the  report  of  champagne  corks. 

At  eleven  o'clock  one  of  the  party  who  resided  in 
the  city,  not  far  out,  felt  obliged  to  bid  the  others 
"  good  night "  and  go  to  his  home.  As  the  rest  were 
inclined  to  further  enjoyment,  Lowman,  who  had 
stepped  into  their  room  to  enquire  after  their  comfort, 
quietly  suggested  that  the  gentleman  from  Idaho 
might,  if  the  party  wished,  take  the  place  of  the  one 
who  retired.  Haldon  asked  if  he  was  all  right,  and 
upon  Lowman's  assurance  that  he  was  a  man  of 
wealth  and  standing,  assent  was  given.  As  the  pres- 
ence of  a  stranger  was  no  restraint  upon  these  men 
of  experience,  Ware  was  made  to  feel  at  ease,  and 


26  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

with  reminiscences  of  the  Far  West  contributed  his 
share  to  the  entertainment.  He  played  cards  in  an 
unprofessional,  business-man's  way,  sometimes  lost, 
sometimes  won,  and  only  until  near  the  close  of  the 
play  did  he  have  anything  like  what  he  called  "  a  run 
of  luck."  This  netted  him  a  very  nice  sum,  but  as 
the  figures  were  quite  within  those  to  which  his  new 
friends  were  accustomed,  they  made  no  comment,  and 
he  remarked  that  they  would  likely  get  it  back,  and 
more,  should  he  have  the  pleasure  of  meeting  them 
again.  He  had  not  drunk  much,  giving  as  an  excuse 
that  the  alkali  waters  of  the  West  had  caused  a  physi- 
cal disturbance  and  that  his  physician  interdicted 
excess  in  anything.  "  In  fact,"  said  he,  "my  visit  to 
Chicago  is  one  for  health,  and  I  hope  with  the  aid  of 
your  pure  water  and  noted  medical  men  to  become 
quite  myself  again." 


CHAPTER  III. 


The  air  was  filled  ~with  odors 

That  went  a\vay  and  brought  others, 

Deeper  and  more  noxious. 

N  Chicago,  as  in  all  places 
where  men  congregate  in 
numbers,  there  is  a  section 
pre-empted  by  immorality. 
In  some  towns  it  is  a  block, 
in  some  a  street.  In  Chi- 
cago it  is  a  quarter,  bounded 
by  State,  Van  Buren  and 
Twelfth  streets,  and  by  the 
river.  It  encroaches  upon 
the  boundaries  of  a  ward. 
On  its  pavements,  over  its 
hovels,  and  around  its  pal- 
aces, the  black  smoke  of  degradation  from  the  fires 
of  drunkenness  and  debauchery  rests,  and  never 
rises.  These  fires  consume  men,  women  and  chil- 
dren, and  the  fuel  is  alcohol.  The  stokers  have  com- 
missions upon  which  appear  the  authority  of  the  city 
and  names  of  respectability.  A  noted  lawyer,  a  suc- 
cessful banker,  a  merchant,  a  church  member  are 


28  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

among  these  names  'that  give  assurance  of  protection 
and  security,  and  under  the  magnifying  glass  of 
responsibility  can  be  read,  between  the  lines,  the 
name  of  every  voter  who  gave  them  his  suffrage. 

At  night,  footsteps  from  the  areas  of  respectability 
turn  towards  this  quarter,  enter  its  borders  and  dis- 
appear in  its  blackness.  Carriages  with  gay  parties 
and  cabs  with  the  solitary  skulking  debauchee,  who 
hides  corruption  from  friends  and  family,  are  driven 
out  of  the  light  into  the  gloom  and  return  empty. 
Youth,  with  the  fresh  imprint  of  a  sister's  kiss  upon 
one  cheek,  turns  the  other  to  the  temptress.  Girl- 
hood, with  the  crushed  roses  of  innocence  still  exhal- 
ing perfume,  follows  the  beck  of  folly  and  never 
again  comes  out  into  the  light.  Age  and  youth  of  both 
sexes  and  all  conditions  inhale  the  poisons  from  these 
fires  and  become  fuel  for  the  flames.  The  stokers 
use  them  all. 

Adjoining  the  quarter,  farther  to  the  east,  at  the 
time  under  consideration,  were  still  many  of  the  pre- 
tentious residences  of  earlier  Chicago,  whose  owners 
had  sought  more  fashionable  locations,  leaving  the 
old  homesteads  to  the  care  of  boarding-house  mis- 

o 

tresses  or  lodging-house  keepers,  some  reputable, 
some  doubtful.  Others  were  rented  to  families  not 
yet  possessed  of  affluence  sufficient  to  build  homes  of 
their  own  which  should  accord  with  their  tastes  or 
desire  for  comfort.  It  was  a  neighborhood  not  to  be 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS  29 

called  bad,  certainly,  not  good  in  an  aesthetic  sense, 
but  one  in  which  an  inhabitant  might  be  either  and 
not  lose  caste  with  his  associates. 

In  this  neighborhood  the  "Professor"  selected 
roorris  for  his  occupancy  during  his  stay  in  .the  city. 
This  stay  promised  to  be  somewhat  extended,  as  he 
had  already  been  successful  in  several  light  invest- 
ments and  began  to  believe  in  the  town.  He  there- 
fore took  much  time  for  observation  and  gave  great 
consideration  to  the  surroundings  of  his  future  resi- 
dence, and  his  manner  denoted  serene  satisfaction 
when  he  gave  the  first  invitation  to  an  acquaintance 

to  call  at  his  rooms,  Number Wabash  avenue, 

near  Hubbard  Court. 

He  was  partially  influenced  in  his  choice  by  an 
incident  that  compelled  his  attention  by  unusual  pro- 
cedure. In  his  explorations  one  day  he  chanced  to 
stroll  into  the  Northwestern  depot  just  as  the  west- 
ern express  rolled  in.  Waiting,  through  curiosity,  to 
see  the  passengers  alight  from  the  train,  he  saw  a 
lady  of  unusual  beauty  and  grace  step  to  the  plat- 
form, and  without  looking  about  her  proceed  directly 
to  the  baggage  car,  and  motioning  to  one  of  the 
hackmen  who  was  calling  carriages,  directed  him  to 
attend  to  the  transfer  of  her  baggage.  She  had  two 
very  large  trunks,  two  smaller  ones  and  two  satchels, 
besides  a  bundle,  tastefully  secured  by  ribbons,  which 
she  carried  in  her  hand.  As  there  was  not  room  for 


30  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

all  this  on  the  carriage,  the  driver  hailed  an  express- 
man who  placed  it  on  his  wagon  and  drove  away. 
With  little  notice  of  those  about  her  the  lady  hurriedly 
entered  the  carriage,  drew  the  side  curtain,  and  the 
driver  with  more  than  usual  speed  urged  his  horses 
across  the  bridge  and  disappeared  among  the  mass 
of  vehicles  on  the  south  side. 

The  Professor,  noticing  her  manner  and  actions, 
judged  by  her  dress  that  she  was  not  a  city  lady,  and 
by  the  same  dress  and  the  freshness  of  her  toilet 
that  she  had  not  traveled  far ;  by  the  absence  of 
friends  to  meet  her  that  she  was  among  strangers, 
and  by  the  numerous  trunks  and  satchels,  that  she 
intended  to  remain  in  the  city.  He  knew  that  she 
was  not  of  the  fallen  classes.  He  had  heard  the 
number  given  by  the  driver  to  the  expressman,  but 
not  the  name  of  the  street. 

The  next  day  he  called  to  see  the  rooms  on  the 
avenue  and  left  without  decision,  although  this  was 
his  third  visit,  and  as  he  came  upon  the  porch  he 
saw  a  curtain  drawn  aside  in  a  second-story  window 
opposite.  Although  it  was  suddenly  dropped,  he 
knew  more  from  the  movement  and  outline  of  form 
than  from  the  features,  which  he  could  scarcely  dis- 
cern, that  it  was  the  lady  from  the  train.  To  reassure 
himself,  he  went  to  the  crossing  above,  then  down 
the  walk  by  the  house,  saw  that  the  number  was 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  31 

the  same  given  to  the  expressman  at  the  depot,  and 
hurriedly  returned  and  engaged  the  rooms. 

Several  months  had  now  elapsed  since  his  intro- 
duction to  Haldon  and  his  party,  and  as  yet,  although 
he  had  used  his  best  and  most  judicious  endeavors, 
he  had  not  been  able  to  get  beyond  an  ordinary 
around-town  acquaintance  with  him.  He  knew  that 
for  the  requirements  of  his  customers,  his  friends  and 
his  own  desires,  Haldon  had  indulged  in  drink  until 
his  restraining  faculties  of  reflection  and  of  con- 
science were  enfeebled,  and  that  his  finer  perceptions 
of  correct  action  were  becoming  subservient  to  the 
promptings  of  association. 

Unwilling  to  admit  that  his  knowledge  of  men  and 
their  mental  changes  under  the  influence  of  alcohol 
was  in  any  manner  inferior  to  that  of  the  uneducated 
Lowman,  he  had  not  depended  upon  his  advice  for  a 
plan  of  action,  but  had  done  that  which  seemed  best 
to  his  own  judgment  in  the  way  of  bringing  about  a 
closer  friendship.  He  had  called  upon  Haldon  at 
his  place  of  business,  and  asked  his  opinion  regard- 
ing investments  ;  as  to  the  feasibility  of  establishing 
certain  lines  of  trade  in  the  city,  where  ample  capital 
could  be  employed  ;  the  most  healthy  and  desirable 
place  to  build  a  home,  and  of  other  matters,  in  which 
the  advice  of  a  successful  business  man  might  be 
valuable ;  but  beyond  a  pleasant  and  well  considered 
answer  he  had  gained  no  ground. 


32  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

Occasionally,  an  invitation  to  step  over  to  "  Low- 
man  and  Stone's  Place  "  was  accepted.  Sometimes, 
when  they  met  there  in  the  evening,  the  Professor 
was  well  treated  and,  as  on  the  first  night,  invited  to 
become  one  of  the  party.  Upon  one  occasion  he  had 
been  one  of  four,  Haldon,  two  country  customers 
and  himself,  to  make  a  round  of  entertainment,  and 
he  had  then  noticed  that  in  Haldon  there  was  no 
admiration  for  the  people,  or  their  conduct,  in  any 
place  of  doubtful  character,  and  that  only  after 
immoderate  drinking  did  he  manifest  an  inclination 
to  participate  in  any  act  or  conversation  of  a  debas- 
ing nature.  The  Professor  was  in  condition  to  care- 
fully note  all  speech,  actions,  and  tendencies,  on  this 
occasion,  for  he  was  not  yet  entirely  rid  of  the  alkali 
disturbance,  and  coincided  with  Lowman's  remark 
that  no  matter  how  good  the  man,  or  how  bright, 
whisky  would  "  fetch  him."  But  the  question  of  the 
proper  method  of  effecting  his  designs  upon  Haldon 
was  still  unanswered. 

While  at  dinner,  one  day,  after  viewing  his  subject 
in  all  the  lights  presented  by  his  observation  and 
knowledge  of  Haldon's  character,  he  remembered 
Lowman's  injunction  at  the  end  of  their  first  conver- 
sation regarding  him,  "  and  if  you  ever  don't  know 
how  to  act  come  to  me."  He  afterwards  strolled  down 
to  "  Lowman  and  Stone's  Place,"  where  he  found 
Lowman  at  leisure  and  pleased  to  see  him.  Although 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  33 

conscious  that  a  solution  of  his  problem  was  beyond 
the  scope  of  his  own  capacity,  he  was  ashamed  to  admit 
that  any  possible  aid  could  be  given  by  suggestions 
from  others,  especially,  one  whom  he  considered 
beneath  himself  in  mental  attainments,  as  he  con- 
sidered Lowman,  and  hoped  that  the  subject  might 
be  introduced  by  him,  and  his  better  ideas,  if  he  had 
any,  given  voluntarily.  Lowman  suggested  nothing 
pertaining  to  the  subject,  and  the  Professor  talked  of 
the  last  railroad  accident,  the  coming  political  con- 
flict, and  the  weather. 

Lowman  listened,  made  few  remarks,  and  at  last 
gave  evidence  of  impatience  and  interrupted  him  in 
the  midst  of  a  prophesy  that  it  would  rain. 

"Now,  look  here,  Professor,  I  know  exactly  what 
you  came  here  for,  and  they's  no  use  of  your  bother- 
ing about  what  happened  down  on  the  Pennsylvania 
Central,  or  who's  going  to  be  governor,  or  whether 
it's  going  to  rain,  but  come  right  to  the  point  and  own 
up  that  you  ain't  getting  along  with  some  of  your 
schemes  as  well  as  you  might,  and  would  like  to  have 
me  help  you  out.  I  know  you're  sharp,  but  you're 
floundering,  'cause  you  ain't  dead  sure,  to  begin  with, 
that  you're  coming  out  all  right.  If  a  man's  got  con- 
fidence he's  booked  to  win,  he  most  always  does,  but 
you  see  in  order  to  get  that  confidence  he's  got 
to  know  all  about  things  in  connection  with  what 


34  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

he's  doing,  and  he  don't  want  to  depend  on  guess 
work,  either." 

"  Well,  Lowman,  I  admit  that  I  have  given  this 
matter  of  Haldon's  very  close  attention  for  almost  a 
year,  and  I  don't  seem  to  be  able  to  get  any  advan- 
tage over  him." 

"  It's  because  you're  in  too  much  of  a  hurry,  Pro- 
fessor. You  ain't  going  to  get  men  like  him  where  you 
want  'em  until  you  get  up  to  a  certain  point.  'Tain't 
natural  for  a  man  to  jump  from  good  to  bad  all  to  once. 
You  take  youngsters  in  this  drinking  business,  for  in- 
stance. Some  of  'em  will  drink  wine  around  in  society 
and  clubs,  or  get  a  bottle  and  take  to  their  rooms,  and 
may  be  it  will  be  years  before  they  ever  go  inside  of 
a  saloon,  and  then,  only  when  they  think  nobody 
knows  it,  and  then  them  youngsters  will  run  along 
gradual  until  they  get  to  spending  all  their  spare 
money  in  'em,  and  finally  get  so  they  have  precious 
little  money  to  spare  for  anything  else  but  whisky, 
and  then  they're  in  for  anything,  and  after  a  little 
while  they're  no  good  to  anybody.  If  I  had  a  boy 
that  was  getting  into  the  habit  of  drinking  I'd  take  a 
gun  and  shoot  him,  and  he'd  be  a  blame  sight  better 
off;  but  that's  neither  here  or  there  ;  it's  my  business, 
and  so  long  as  folks  do  as  they  do,  I'm  going  to  stay  in 
it.  Now,  you  see,  HaMon  hasn't  got  far  enough  along 
yet  to  do  any  real  fool  business,  such  as  you  want  to 
get  him  into,  but  he's  getting  mighty  near  it,  and  what 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  35 

you  want  to  do  is  this :  just  keep  on  with  him,  and 
when  you  find  that  he's  been  letting  up  for  awhile 
you  can  expect  that  he's  going  to  drink  enough  in  a 
week  to  make  it  up,  and  that's  the  time  to  get  in  your 
work. 

"  You  see  it's  this  way  ;  when  a  man  gets  drinking 
too  much,  his  folks  or  his  friends  will  speak  to  him 
about  it,  or  he'll  feel  it  himself,  and  then  he'll  quit. 
Well,  you  see,  men  don't  have  to  drink  many  years 
before  they  can't  get  along  without  it;  they  think 
they  can,  and  they  think  they  can  drink  or  let  it  alone, 
but  not  one  in  a  thousand  can  ;  they've  just  got  to 
have  it,  and  will,  unless  they're  locked  up  somewhere. 
Well,  as  I  was  saying,  after  about  a  week  they  feel 
as  if  they  had  all  the  diseases  in  the  doctor  book, 
and  think  they's  nothing  but  whisky  will  cure  'em, 
and  they  want  to  give  themselves  some  excuse  for 
taking  it,  so  they  go  to  some  doctor  and  tell  him  that 
they've  been  drinking  too  much,  and  although  they've 
quit  off,  they  feel  terrible  sick  and  alarmed  about 
themselves,  and  ask  the  doctor  if  he  thinks  it's  the 
right  thing  to  chop  off  all  at  once,  and  the  fool  doctor 
will  tell  'em,  of  course  not,  but  not  to  drink  any  hard 
liquor,  like  brandy  or  whisky,  but  take  claret  or  port 
wine,  or  such  like  drinks,  and  taper  off  on  them. 
Well,  the  consequence  is  they  don't  taper,  but  get 
their  systems  just  plumb  full  of  that  kind  of  stuff  the 
doctor  said,  and  they've  got  the  worst  drunk  on  they 


36  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

ever  had  in  their  lives,  and  have  to  drink  whisky  for 
about  six  months  before  they  get  anywhere  near  in 
shape  again. 

"  Now,  if  you  can  ketch  a  man  after  he's  been 
follering  the  doctor's  advice  for  a  little  while,  you  can 
do  most  anything  with  him.  They  all  switch  off. 
Haldon  does,  and  so  do  all  of  his  friends  who  come 
here  ;  sometimes  you  won't  see  'em  for  a  week,  may 
be  two,  but  they  make  an  average  before  the  year  is 
out,  and  come  oftener  every  year.  You  come  and 
see  me  once  in  awhile  and  I'll  let  you  know  when  it's 
a  good  time  to  get  in  with  him,  and  if  you  don't 
make  it  pay  then,  you  never  will. 

"  You  needn't  have  any  schemes  or  lay  any  plans 
as  to  what  you  want  to  do  or  what  you  should  do, 
when  the  time  comes  ;  but  just  let  things  take  their 
own  course,  and  remember  when  anybody's  full  of 
whisky  the  man  ain't  to  home  and  you  can  do  any- 
thing you're  amind  to  with  the  house.  Professor, 
another  thing  I  want  to  say,  and  that  is,  you've  got 
an  idea  that  you  know  as  much  as  I  do.  Now  I'm 
telling  you  that  nobody  knows  the  ins  and  outs  of 
this  business  like  a  man  who  is  in  it  and  don't  drink 
himself.  So  don't  get  conceited,  but  when  you  want 
advice,  ask  for  it.  You're  smart,  but  you  don't  know 
it  all." 

The  Professor,  with  better  ideas  of  the  general 
distribution  of  knowledge,  took  his  way  homeward 


THE  JU-NIOR  PARTNERS.  37 

to  prepare  his  toilet  for  the  evening.  The  room  on 
the  lower  floor  back,  in  the  house  that  contained  his 
suite,  was  occupied  by  the  woman  called  landlady, 
who  rented  the  whole  and  sublet,  adding  the  care  of 
the  rooms  to  her  profits.  Her  room  was  at  the  same 
time  office,  parlor,  sitting-room,  library  and  sleeping- 
room,  and  should  you  at  anytime  see  a  person  there, 
it  would  be  impossible  for  you  to  conjecture  what 
was  his  or  her  mission,  neither  could  you  ever  ascer- 
tain from  the  landlady. 

These  women,  in  Chicago,  have  risen  far  above 
the  rank  of  a  class  and  attained  to  the  importance  of 
a  species.  They  never  hear  anything,  they  never 
know  anything,  have  no  opinions  of  their  own  and 
seldom  use  those  of  others.  The  crowning  wonder 
is  their  loss  of  curiosity.  They  are  of  all  ages  and 
nationalities,  but  all  have  the  same  "don't  know" 
forms  of  speech  and  action.  On  the  witness  stand 
they  defy  the  ingenuity  of  lawyers  ;  they  dumbfound 
the  acuteness  of  detectives,  and  even  money  fails  to 
extract  knowledge  from  them.  Ware's  landlady  was" 
Irish,  and  her  name  was  Sharkey. 

One  day,  as  the  Professor  was  ascending  the  stairs 
leading  to  his  rooms,  he  chanced  to  look  over  the 
railing,  down  the  hall  and  through  the  half-open  door 
of  the  landlady's  room,  and  saw  the  outlines  of  the 
face  and  form  of  the  lady  from  the  train,  who  was 
evidently  holding  earnest  conversation  with  some  one 


•  38  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

within.     From  his  room  he  saw  her  leave  the  house 
and  return  to  her  lodgings  across  the  street.     After 
dressing  he  went  below  and  engaged  the  landlady  in 
a  conversation  regarding  the  more  complete  furnish- 
ing of  his  rooms,  and  asked  her  advice  as  to  colors 
and  styles,  which  advice  he  did  not  get,  and  after- 
wards carelessly  changed  the  subject  by  remarking : 
"  A  fine  looking  lady  that  went  out  a  while  ago, 
Mrs.  Sharkey." 

"  Do  you  say  so,  Mister  Ware?" 
"  She  is  from  the  country,  is  she  not  ?" 
"  She  didn't  tell  me  that,  Mister  Ware,  an'  if  she's 
from  the  country  or  from  the  city  I  don't  know,  sure." 
"  Do  you  know  if  she  is  married  ?" 
"  She  didn't  say  nothin'  about  that,  nayther." 
"  She  looks  like  an  intelligent  and  well  educated 
woman." 

"Sure,  she  might  be." 
"What  is  her  name?" 

"  Now,  luk  here,  Mister  Ware,  if  I'd  be  tellin'  the 
gintlemin  the  names  av  all  the  ladies  that  come  to  see 
me,  they'd  be  scoldin'  me  fer  it,  and  they're  all  nice 
ladies  an'  don't  be  goin'  round  askin'  after  thegintle- 
min's  names,  ayther." 

"  And  a  great  many  women  around  here  never  use 
their  own  right  names,"  testily  replied  Ware,  who  saw 
that  he  was  gaining  no  ground. 

"  As  to  that  I  can't  say,  they  behave  thimsilves,  an' 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 


39 


sure  I  can't  tell  that  of  all  the   min,  Mister  Ware." 

"Now,  Mrs.  Sharkey,  I   know  that  she  is  a  fine 

lady,  and   I  should  like  to  become  acquainted   with 


"DO  YE  SUPPOSE  I'VE  BEEN  IN  THIS  BUSINESS  TWINTY  YEARS  AND 
DON'T  KNOW  THE  AMEEN'ITIES  AV  IT?" 


her.      If  you   could  introduce  me  some  time,  when  it 
comes  right,  I  would  remember  you  for  it." 

"  Well,  she  might  ask  me  to.  If  she  did,  I  wud." 
"Cannot  you  ask  her  if  this  would  be  agreeable  ?" 
"  Do  ye  suppose  I've  been  in  this  business  twinty 


40  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

years,  Mister  Ware,  an'  don't  know  the  ameenities 
avit?" 

"  But  she  is  not  a  tenant  of  yours,  and  you  are  not 
under  the  same  obligation  as  you  would  be  if  she 
roomed  in  this  house." 

11  How  do  ye  know  who  runs  the  house  acrost  the 
street,  I  want  to  know?" 

"  I  am  not  informed,  but  I  did  not  suppose  that  you 
had  any  interest  in  it." 

"  I  didn't  say  I  had,  Mister  Ware." 

i 

"Well,  Mrs.  Sharkey,  you  need  not  say  anything 
to  her  about  me ;  perhaps  I  can  become  acquainted 
without  putting  you  to  any  trouble.  Do  not  tell  her 
that  I  mentioned  it,  will  you  ?" 

"  I'm  not  interferin'  wid  anybuddy  else's  business, 
Mister  Ware,  an'  if  ye  git  to  know  one  anither,  it's 
not  for  me  to  worry  about." 

The  Professor  went  away  blaming  his  own  stu- 
pidity for  his  failure  to  gain  information.  The  fault 
was  not  his.  He  had  met  the  unapproachable. 

The  lady  from  the  train  continued  to  call  on  Mrs. 
Sharkey  and  to  go  directly  to  her  own  rooms  after 
the  visits.  The  Professor  had  purposely  gone  out 
when  he  had  seen  her  crossing  the  street,  but  when 
he  met  her  on  the  sidewalk  she  was  looking  intently 
at  the  flowers  in  Mrs.  Sharkey's  front  windows  and 
passed  him  but  did  not  see  him.  Her  indifference 
annoyed  him.  She  never  went  out  shopping  or  rid- 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  41 

ing,  and  had  no  callers.  He  speculated  much  as  to 
her  position  in  the  world  and  her  probable  designs  in 
life,  but  found  no  light.  She  was  as  impenetrable  as 
the  landlady. 

One  bright  afternoon,  Mrs.  Sharkey,  dressed  in 
black  silk  and  becoming  millinery,  and  presenting 
withal  quite  a  motherly  appearance,  left  her  house 
and  walked  down  the  shady  side  of  the  avenue 
towards  the  business  part  of  the  city.  Occasionally 
glancing  at  the  numbers  and  signs  as  she  passed 
along,  she  at  last  hesitated  before  a  store  in  which  all 
was  bustle  and  business,  and  where  loads  of  merchan- 
dise on  sidewalk  and  trucks  impeded  both  pedestrian 
and  street  traffic.  Stopping  a  moment  to  question  a 
young  man  who  was  checking  boxes  and  bales  of 
goods,  and  who  pointed  her  with  his  pencil  to  the 
door  below,  she  left  him  and  entered  the  office  of  the 
establishment. 

Without  hesitation,  although  she  had  never  seen 
him  before,  she  approached  a  gentleman  who  was 
engaged  in  conversation  with  others  in  the  rear  part 
of  the  office,  and  who  as  she  came  near  him  politely 
asked  of  her  mission.  With  a  low  answer  that  she 
wished  to  speak  with  him  regarding  a  matter  that 
was  not  in  the  way  of  business,  she  enquired  if  he  had 
a  little  time  to  spare.  Handing  her  a  seat  near  his 
desk,  he  excused  himself  to  former  company,  and, 
while  taking  his  seat,  encouraged  brevity  by  saying, 


42  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

"What  is  the  subject  ?"  His  question,  manner,  and 
respectful  but  expectant  attention  caused  her  to  omit 
the  conversational  pickets  usually  thrown  out  by 
women  to  prepare  the  way  for  verbal  engagements 
with  men,  and  to  come  directly  to  the  purpose  of  her 
visit. 

"Mister  Haldon,  they's  a  lady  in  this  city  that 
somebuddy  that's  known  to  her  shud  give  some  help. 
Me  name  is  Mrs.  Sharkey,  an'  she  has  rooms  in  one 
av  me  houses." 

"Mrs.  Sharkey,  we  make  a  practice  of  giving  a 
certain  sum  of  money  to  the  Young  Men's  Christian 
Association  and  other  charities,  and  we  expect  them 
to  attend  to  the  details  of  distribution.  If  she  is  a 
Protestant,  I  will  give  you  a  card  to  the  secretary ;  if 
a  Catholic,  to  Father  Burke,  and  immediate  attention 
will  be  given  her." 

"Mister  Haldon,  it's  not  that  kind  av  help  she'd 
be  wantin'.  It's  not  ixac'ly  poor  she  is,  not  widout 
money,  but  will  be  if  she  can't  git  some  business 
papers  fixed  accardin'  to  the  idees  av  the  law." 

"  Why  does  she  not  consult  an  attorney  and  place 
her  affairs  with  him  ?  " 

"  It's  takin'  ivery  dollar  she  has  fer  doin'  av  the 
work,  she's  afraid  the  lever  wud,  an'  it  ain't  anythin', 
she  says,  but  what  a  good  business  man  cud  straiten 
out  immegitly,  widout  costin'  anythin',  but  she's  only 
jist  come  here  an'  ain't  a  bit  aquaintid,  an'  she's  that 


THE  JUNIOR   PARTNERS.  43 

sorrerful  that  I  had  a  pity  fer  her,  an'  I  tried  to  con- 
sole wid  her,  an'  I  come  down  to  see  ye  cause  she 
said  she'd  known  ye  a  good  many  years-gone,  though 
she  ain't  much  more  than  a  girl  yit." 

"  What  is  her  name  ?  " 

"I  don't  know  as  she'd  be  thankin'  me  if  I'd  be 
tellin'  her  name,  'cause  she  didn't  sind  me  to  see  ye 
at  all,  but  she  seemed  to  want  somebuddy  to  talk  to, 
an'  she  was  that  sorrerful  an'  pritty  that  I  jist  had  an 
akin'  heart  for  her,  an'  I  come  to  ye  unbeknownst  to 
her,  'cause  I'm  sure,  if  she  thot  I  was  doin'  sich  a 
thing,  she'd  lave  me  house  widout  a  word,  an'  I  wan' 
to  keep  all  the  nice  folks  I  git,  'cause  I  won't  have 
any  other  kind  in  me  houses ;  an',  Mister  Haldon, 
ye  know  it's  very  hard  to  fill  'em  up  wid  that  kind 
the  way  Chicago  is  now." 

"  I  cannot  see  in  what  manner  I  can  render  any 
assistance  or  advice.  It  would  be  absurd  for  me  to 
think  of  calling  upon  her  without  invitation,  or  even 
an  intimation  from  herself  that  she  was  in  the  city 
and  would  be  pleased  to  see  me." 

"  That's  jist  it,  Mister  Haldon,  if  ye  was  the  oldest 
frind  she  iver  had,  she'd  niver  give  ye  a  hint  that  ye 
cud  do  her  a  favor,  she's  that  particular ;  but  if  ye 
cud  meet  her,  axidintal  like,  and  yersilf  aknowin'  that 
she  was  nadin'  advice  an'  incuridgment,  ye  cud  draw 
her  out  like,  an'  she'd  tell  ye  about  hersilf.  A  smart 
man  like  yersilf  always  can  tell  how  to  get  at  what 


44  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

he  wants  to  know  offen  anybuddy,  an'  she  always 
said  when  she  was  spakin'  of  ye,  that  ye  was  sich  a 
nice  man,  an'  whin  I  axed  her  why  she  didn't  go  to 
see  ye,  she  frowned,  sorrerful  like,  an'  said  she  wasn't 
sure  she'd  be  doin'  right,  she's  that  particular  ;  but 
she  said  she  wished  her  father  was  alive  an'  thin  she'd 
have  somebuddy  to  tell  her  what  she  shud  do." 

"  I  would  most  willingly  advise  her,  Mrs.  Sharkey, 
should  she  desire  it,  but  I  cannot  conceive  how  any 
opportunity  could  present  itself  for  me  to  take  the 
action  that  you  suggest." 

"I'll  jist  tell  ye,  Mister  Haldon,  that  a  woman 
when  she  wants  to  be  benivolent  widout  anybuddy 
aknowin'  av  it,  can  git  more  ways  of  goin'  to  work 
than  all  the  min  cud  think  of.  Me  two  houses  are  jist 
up  this  same  street  a  little  this  side  av  Hubbard 
Coort,  an'  me  own  place,  where  I  live,  is  the  wan  on 
this  same  side,  an'  ye  can  call  on  me  some  avenin', 
or  afternoon,  sich  as  ye  like,  an'  while  ye're  there  she'll 
likely  come  in  to  see  me,  spechilly  in  the  avenin', 
cause  she  gits  lonesome-like  an'  don't  be  havin'  any 
aquaintince  an'  no  ither  place  to  go,  an'  ye'd  git 
talkiri'  with  her,  an'  ye'd  soon  see  that  ye'd  be  of 
good  to  her ;  an'  I  think  it's  yer  duty,  too,  an'  fer  all 
good  min  to  advise  thim  as  is  nadin'  av  it,  an'  incur- 
idgin'  thim  wid  their  strength,  an'  specially  good 
womin,  an'  keepin'  thim  from  bein'  unfortunate." 
"  I  have  no  business  at  your  house.  What  possi- 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  45 

ble   excuse   could    I    have    for    calling  there,    Mrs. 
Sharkey  ?" 

"  Mr.  Haldon,  business  min  in  Chicago  go  ivery- 
where  an'  nobuddy  gives  it  their  attintion  nor  thot, 
an'  ye's  cud  go  any  place  in  the  city  an'  so  little  wud 
folks  consider  it  that  it  wud  niver  be  remimbered 
through  the  day.  But  I'd  know  what  yer  business  is, 
an'  I'd  rispect  ye  fer  it — to  do  good  to  the  best,  the 
prittyest,  and  the  most  ladylikest  woman  that  iver 
was  nadin'  kind  words  from  some  good  man  who'd 
have  rispect  for  her  an'  who  she'd  trust." 

"  Well,  Mrs.  Sharkey,  my  business  requires  atten- 
tion and  I   can  give  you  no  further  time,  but  I   will 
consider  your  visit  and  its  object,  and  if  I  decide  to . 
call  I  will  do  so  to-morrow  evening  at  eight  o'clock. 
Give  me  the  number." 

"  Ye'll  be  doin'  great  good  if  ye  come.  Good  day, 
Mister  Haldon,  an'  I'm  glad  yer  that  good  to  be  givin' 
attintion  to  what  a  poor  woman  like  me  wud  be 
tellin'  ye,  an'  if  ye  don't  come  I'll  always  rispect  ye 
fer  that,  but  fer  the  good  av  the  poor  lady  I  trust  ye 
will." 

After  business  hours  Haldon's  thoughts  turned  to 

o 

Mrs.  Sharkey's  visit  and  its  object.  He  could  think 
of  no  one  among  his  former  acquaintances  who  would 
be  likely  to  find  herself  in  the  circumstances  described 
by  the  good-hearted  landlady,  but,  as  this  lady  was 
young,  she  might  be  the  daughter  of  a  schoolmate, 


4tj  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

or  even  a  closer  friend  of  earlier  days,  and  one  who 
had  known  him  as  a  man,  while  he  had  looked  upon 
her  as  a  child. 

There  is  nothing  remarkable  in  meeting  any  one 
in  Chicago  that  you  might  have  previously  known,  or 
seen,  from  any  place  in  the  country,  or  even  from  for- 
eign lands,  as  its  reputation  and  facilities  for buildingand 
repairing  fortunes  are  of  world-wide  notoriety.  The 
resident  meets  old  acquaintances  from  time  to  time 
of  whom  he  has  not  thought  for  years  ;  or  their  chil- 
dren meet  him  upon  the  street,  or  call  at  his  home, 
and  he  hears  his  name  spoken  by  an  apparent  stranger, 
in  whom,  however,  after  an  introduction,  he  traces 
the  resemblance  of  an  old  neighbor  or  dear  friend. 
Of  these,  Haldon  reflected,  this  lady  might  be,  and 
one  whom  circumstances  had  directed  hither,  and  who, 
from  pride  or  diffidence,  was  restrained  from  asking 
advice  from  one  whom  she  knew,  but  who  might  not 
even  recognize  her  family  resemblance  should  he  meet 
her.  That  anything  wrong  was  contemplated  he  did 
not  mistrust.  He  was  secure  is  his  own  integrity 
and  never  questioned  that  of  others,  except  when  it 
related  to  his  business  affairs.  His  reflections  su£- 

o 

gested  that  duty  might  require  a  visit  and  that  no 
harm  could  result  from  one  in  any  event. 

Making  a  memorandom  to  call  at  Number  — 
Wabash  avenue  at  eight  o'clock  Wednesday  evening, 
he  passed  out  of  his  office  and  went  home. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


Had  glimpses  rare  of  heaven's  delights, 
From  heaven's  vestibule. 

HE  business  men 
of  Chicago  stand 
upon  an  eminence 
builded  by  them- 
selves, whose  sum- 
mit overlooks  all 
the  landmarks  of 
progre  ss ion's 
march,  and  on 
which  is  a  monu- 
ment of  enterprise 
that  throws  a  chal- 
lenge to  the  financial  world.  If  omnipotent  endeavor 
had  been  directed  to  the  production  of  a  people  who 
should  accomplish  a  given  destiny,  commensurate 
in  broadness  and  completeness  with  boundless  ideas, 
it  would  rank  little  above  the  people  who,  gathered 
from  all  sections  of  our  country,  and  from  across  the 
seas,  took  the  little  hamlet  of  a  hundred  and  within 
fifty  years  led  it  to  be  the  metropolis  of  a  million. 
Gigantic  accomplishment !  Who  conceived  it,  and 


48  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

what  was  the  inspiration  ?  Merchants  and  mechan- 
ics came ;  from  the  stimulating  air  breathed  enterprise 
and  industry,  and  inspired  by  their  broad  surround- 
ings, had  thoughts  of  vast  undertakings. 

A  young  farmer  came,  and  saw  the  endless  prairie 
dip  into  the  horizon.  Its  limitlessness  entered  his 
brain,  broadened  his  views  and  patterned  his  am- 
bition. He  began  to  provision  the  world. 

A  young  minister  came,  and  looked  upon  the  broad 
expanse  of  Michigan  ;  forgot  his  creeds  and  humble 
desires  ;  brought  forests  from  her  farther  shores  and 
built  cities  and  towns. 

An  engineer  came ;  put  aside  his  instruments  for 
the  measurement  of  cuts  and  fills,  and  laid  his  rails 
on  the  gradeless  bosom  of  the  royal  valleys  of  Mis- 
sissippi and  Missouri;  at  morning  found  the  Indian 
and  the  buffalo,  where  at  night  he  saw  the  puffing 
engine  and  the  piling  freight. 

An  architect  came,  and  finding  that  no  direction 
presented  obstacles  to  the  eye,  went  far  toward  earth's 
center  for  foundation  ;  raised  ornate  structures  to  the 
clouds,  hoping  that  from  their  towers  he  might  view 
all  of  Chicago's  vast  inheritance,  but  when  he  had 
finished  he  learned  that  her  domain  was  the  world, 
and  he  waited  for  affluence  to  conduct  him  over  it. 

Mercantile  honor  from  a  thing  of  policy  grew  to 
the  measure  of  a  principle  and  became  their  highest 
attribute,  pervaded  heredity  and  endowed  sons  with 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  49 

conscientious  wealth.  When  calamity  crumbled  their 
city  into  ashes  the  world  confidently  builded  them 
commercial  palaces,  strained  the  foundations  of  their 
warehouses  with  merchandise,  and  their  vaults  with 
coin. 

The  opinion  of  mankind  regarding  their  integrity 
exceeded  belief,  and  stood  on  the  broad  ground  of 
an  absolute  knowledge  of  existing  truth.  History 
denies  a  repetition  and  claims  for  this  record  a  match- 
less page. 

Among  this  class,  by  right  of  intellect  and  like 
aspirations,  John  Haldon  held  an  average  mercantile 
rank.  With  a  clear  brain,  well  educated,  and  a  gen- 
erous heart,  made  more  liberal  by  the  opportunities 
of  a  competence,  he  attracted  the  regard  and  con- 
sideration of  his  business  friends  and  the  admiration 
and  adulation  of  social  acquaintances.  Quick  to  see 
and  apt  to  seize  upon  all  points  of  vantage  in  the 
war  of  competition,  he  excelled  in  the  ability  to  win 
and  to  hold  the  favors  of  those  with  whom  he  wished 
to  deal,  and  from  the  impulse  of  an  open  heart,  more 
than  from  thoughts  of  policy,  he  treated  them  gener- 
ously. Having  no  natural  tendency  towards  evil, 
and  with  ample  restraining  powers,  he  had  mingled 
with  all  classes  and  looked  upon  immorality  as  an 
object  lesson  for  himself,  and  its  demonstration  as  an 
occasional  recreation  for  his  customers. 

With  broad  views   of  woman's  sphere,  and  the 


50  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

deference  due  to  her,  he  had  put  the  good  upon  the 
highest  places  in  his  regard  and  had  given  them 
honorable  thought.  At  home,  comfort  brought  him 
an  appreciated  rest,  and  in  the  family  he  was  an 
emperor  of  love.  Beauty,  culture  and  accomplish- 
ments in  the  highest  order  of  domestic  womanhood 
embellished  his  home  and  helped  to  emphasize  his 
loyalty. 

Before  the  time  in  which  he  first  came  under  our 
consideration  no  absence  from  that  home  was  known 
except  that  of  business  requirements.  Neither  for 
his  own  pleasure  nor  for  the  demands  of  business 
had  he  ever  spent  the  later  afternoon  hours  away 
from  the  companionship  of  his  family,  and  for  the 
purpose  of  more  fully  enjoying  with  them  the  time 
not  necessarily  devoted  to  his  affairs,  he  had  recently 
completed  a  dwelling  in  a  pleasant  locality  across  the 
river,  north  from  the  business  centre,  and  but  a  short 
walk  distant.  Other  families  of  ample  competence 
and  like  domestic  tastes  had  also  selected  the  same 
section  of  the  city  for  permanent  homes,  completing 
a  neighborhood  covering  several  squares,  near  the 
lake,  slightly  elevated  and  intensely  home-like. 

Although  in  society  which  is  indefinitely  termed 
the  best,  these  families  preferred  the  circles  of  older 
acquaintance  and  similar  tastes,  in  which  personal 
friendship  is  strengthened  by  a  knowledge  of  character 
and  mental  worth.  Frequent  reunions  of  unpreten- 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  51 

tious  requirement  and  familiar  association  extended 
a  modified  home  sentiment  from  each  family  to  the 
boundaries  of  the  neighborhood,  which  stimulated  a 
general  care  for,  and  interest  in,  the  welfare  of  all 
the  younger  members.  Especially  were  the  girls 
aided  in  all  the  graces  of  social  life,  and  confirmed 
in  honorable  integrity  by  frequent  and  unconstrained 
association  with  these  men  and  women  home  lovers. 

Upon  reflection,  you  will  remember  some  locality 
in  every  city  where  you  are  acquainted,  the  inhab- 
itants of  which  are  pre-eminent  for  their  observance 
of  the  better  and  finer  requirements  of  correct  action, 
where  the  social  atmosphere  is  always  pure  and  where 
summonses  for  divorcement  seldom  come.  Upon 
further  reflection  you  will  remember  that  these  local- 
ities are  only  an  easy  walking  distance  from  the  trade 
centers,  and,  should  you  take  the  trouble  to  investi- 
gate, you  will  discover  that  the  homes  were  built  by 
men  who,  because  of  their  love  for  family,  were 
impatient  with  distance  and  jealous  of  time,  and  that 
they  are  graced  by  women  who  appreciate  that  love 
and  who,  with  intelligent  companionship  and  home 
attractions,  nourish  it  to  a  passion. 

Women  of  this  class  are  not  seen  obtrusively  upon 
the  street  or  Jn  the  stores,  and  their  faces  are  not 
familiar  to  the  public,  no  matter  how  long  their  resi- 
dence may  have  been.  Some  there  are  noted  and 
even  famous  for  benevolence  and  philanthropy,  whose 


52  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

names  receive  public  recognition,  although  they  may 
be  personally  known  to  only  a  limited  circle.  Their 
pleasures  comprehend  finer  and  higher  enjoyments 
than  do  those  of  women  who  encourage  extensive 
acquaintance,  and  who  are  usually  gratified  by  general 
and  public  admiration,  which  admiration,  as  if  in 
response  to  an  inexorable  law,  is  not  well  established 
in  the  individual  admirer,  when  shared  by  the  many, 
and  becomes  one  relating  to  physical  attraction  only. 

Thoughtful  women  recognize  this,  and  concentrate 
their  efforts  to  the  home  circle  and  the  boundaries  of 
congenial  association,  and  achieve  a  success  in 
domestic  and  social  life,  fully  equal  in  result  and  per- 
manency to  that  of  their  husbands  and  fathers  in 
their  best  examples  of  professional  or  financial  effort. 
Their  life  is  a  perpetual  object  lesson  for  the  correct 
education  and  training  of  daughters  to  a  perfect 
knowledge  and  intelligent  understanding  of  duties  to 
be  performed,  and  benefits  to  be  expected  in  future 
family  relations.  These  girls  seldom  give  themselves 
in  marriage  for  monetary  considerations,  but  prefer 
to  grace  the  homes  of  intellectual  equals  and  assist  in 
reaching  a  social  position  by  their  own  efforts. 

Thoroughly  educated  in  scholastic  and  polite 
accomplishments,  and  with  correct  views  reo-ardino- 

1  o  o 

her  own  deportment  and  aspirations,  John  Haldon's 
daughter,  Josephine,  commanded  more  than  usual 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  53 

consideration  from  the  women  within  whose  circles 
she  moved. 

For  a  girl  to  be  highly  commended  by  women  of 
the  class  we  are  now  contemplating,  means,  not 
only  that  her  speech  and  actions  may  be  pure  and 
without  reproach,  but  also  that  her  thoughts  and 
impulses  must  be  immaculate,  as  a  moral  laxity  of  the 
mind  will  appear  in  a  movement  of  the  body,  a  glance 
of  the  eye,  in  the  folds  of  a  dress,  or  the  shape  of  a 
hat.  A  rose  upon  a  pure  bosom  will  reveal  an  uncon- 
scious exaltation.  Good  women  note  and  compre- 
hend this. 

So  completely  did  she  direct  her  thoughts  to  the 
cultivation  of  home  amenities  that  her  action  covered 
all  the  range  of  courtesies,  from  those  of  self-denial 
to  the  more  minute  considerations  for  the  interest  and 
pleasure  of  her  family.  Her  manner  towards  her 
father,  and  her  regard  for  his  personal  comfort  and 
mental  entertainment,  were  remarked  by  her  intimates 
as  being  akin  to  that  of  a  loving  wife.  She  had  said 
to  them,  when  discussing  the  subject  of  marriage  and 
its  uncertainties,  that  should  a  man  ask  her  to  be  his 
wife,  whom  she  knew  to  be  her  father's  equal  in  all 
things  that  a  woman  admires  and  loves,  she  would 
accept  him  without  a  thought  of  future  regret  ;  but 
in  her  heart  there  was  always  a  reservation;  the 
unuttered  thought  was,  "all  but  one  thing,"  and  from 
that  she  wished  her  husband  to  be  free.  Her  com- 


54  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

• 
panions  noticed  a  shade  of  sadness  upon  her  face,  and 

one  of  them  afterwards  remarked,  "Josephine  is  so 
sad  when  we  talk  of  marriage  that  the  thought  seems 
a  dread  to  her  rather  than  a  pleasure." 

Upon  Haldon's  position  as  junior  member  of  the 
firm  of  Stetson,  Burley  &  Co.  fell  the  duties  of  enter- 
taining the  customers  of  the  house,  and  securing  and 
cultivating  the  acquaintance  of  other  merchants  who 
might  become  desirable  patrons.  As  these  men  were 
at  leisure  in  the  evening  and  usually  engaged  with 
business  affairs  during  the  day,  these  duties  com- 
pelled him  to  spend  a  portion  of  his  evening  hours 
away  from  home,  at  hotels  or  other  places  that  his 
friends  might  wish  to  visit.  By  request  of  his  daugh- 
ter Josephine,  he  had  consented  to  give  an  evening  to 
her  society,  and,  as  she  said,  "listen  to  something 
that  is  of  interest  to  us  both,  and  deeply  so  to  me." 

After  dinner,  music  and  general  conversation  was 
enjoyed  for  an  hour,  when  Josephine  took  her  fath- 
er's arm  and  led  him  from  the  parlor  to  what  she 
called  the  branch  office,  in  which  were  the  library, 
easy  chairs  and  settees,  and  also  a  commercial  desk 
at  which  Haldon  spent  many  morning  hours  in  spe- 
cial correspondence,  and  which  with  its  files,  its  pigeon 
holes  and  memorandum  books,  gave  to  the  room  a 
mercantile  air.  She  needed  no  encouragement  or 
questions  to  bring  her  subject  into  discussion,  but 
startled  her  father  with  the  announcement,  "  I  shall 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  55 

soon  receive  an  offer  of  marriage  from  Leslie  Mont- 
ford,  and  I  must  know  all  about  him." 

"Are  you  becoming  prophetic,  Josephine?  How 
can  you  be  so  confident  that  this  will  become  a  fact  ?" 

"  Father,  our  acquaintance  dates  from  childhood, 
and  as  you  are  aware,  I  have  often  been  in  his  com- 
pany during  that  time,  especially  so  in  the  past  few 
months,  and  he  now  gives  to  me  all  those  delicate 
attentions  that  a  girl  can  feel  comes  from  the  heart 
of  the  man  who  gives  them,  but  which,  being  new  to 
her  experience,  are  difficult  of  definition  or  communi- 
cation to  others.  Her  assurance  is  strengthened  by 
a  knowledge  of  her  inclination  towards  him,  and  she 
believes  her  own  sentiments  to  be  a  response  to  those 
which  really  exist  in  him.  I  feel  myself  drawing 
more  closely  to  him,  and  before  I  give  him  the  full 
love  of  my  soul,  I  must  know  all,  everything  about 
and  of  him,  that  I  may  be  able  to  recede  without 
overwhelming  sorrow  to  him,  or  to  myself,  should  he 
not  fulfill  the  requirements  of  my  approval." 

"  Surely,  Josephine,  there  can  be  no  reason  why 
you  should  not  know,  to  quote  yourself,  all,  every- 
thing, about  and  of  him.  Perhaps  I  can  give  infor- 
mation and  satisfy  you  that  further  investigation  may 
not  be  necessary.  He  was  born  in  this  city,  and  his 
whole  life  is  before  us.  He  was  educated  in  Harvard 
and  graduated  with  much  honor ;  afterwards  took  a 
position  in  his  father's  business,  honorably  held  it 


56  ,  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

and  received  advancement ;  and  now  he  has  a  large 
interest,  ample  in  income  to  maintain  a  high  social 
position.  He  is  an  only  son  and  will,  in  time,  inherit 
a  large  estate,  but  in  the  meantime,  with  the  knowl- 
edge that  I  have  of  his  qualifications,  I  should  predict 
for  him  great  success  without  that  aid.  His  attrac- 
tions are  apparent  to  yourself,  and  I  know  of  none 
in  the  city  who  would  be  more  grateful  to  the  pride 
and  admiration  of  a  girl  of  your  character  than  Leslie 
Montford." 

"  Father,  I  know  all  this  that  you  have  said  to  me 
and  more.  I  know  and  appreciate  his  fine  mental 
attainments,  and  approve  his  moral  tenets,  in  which 
I  believe  him  to  be  inflexible.  I  know  his  admira- 
tion and  respect  for  all  that  is  good  in  women,  and 
his  just  appreciation  of  the  duties  of  men  in  their 
relation  to  them.  I  know  his  regard  for  their  intel- 
lectual attainments,  and  his  recognition  of  their  mental 
equality  with  men ;  that  his  conversation  elevates  and 
never  depresses  any  woman  who  may  enjoy  his  social 
attention  ;  that  his  association  enhances  her  self- 
respect  and  confirms  her  integrity  ;  but  what  I  do 
not  know  is  the  nature  of  his  social  intercourse  with 
men." 

"  This  line  of  investigation  carries  you  somewhat 
beyond  that  enquiry  which  is  usually  considered 
necessary  for  satisfactory  information  regarding  the 
character  and  desirability  of  a  possible  husband.  The 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  57 

man  who  marries  is  supposed  to  abandon  his  former 
social  habits,  and,  with  the  exception,  perhaps,  of 
retaining  a  place  at  his  club,  will  become  a  stranger 
to  his  old  ways  of  enjoyment.  Your  remark  indicat- 
ing a  desire  to  know  all,  everything,  savors  somewhat 
of  espionage.  A  blind  and  unquestioning  trust  is 
better  than  that,  my  dear  Josephine." 

"  Father,  I  have  no  thought  of  a  personal  super- 
vision over  his  affairs,  nor  have  I  any  interest  to 
know  of  matters  that  will  not  affect  the  happiness  of 
a  married  life ;  but  there  are  shadows  cast  over  the 
enjoyments  of  many  homes  which  are  the  direct 
result  of  tendencies  acquired  by  ante-nuptial  associ- 
ations of  men  -with  men.  These  shadows  deepen 
with  time,  and  are  seldom  dispelled.  I  would  only 
know  upon  what  ground  he,  with  whom  I  may  spend 
a  life,  has  stood,  and  especially  whether  his  tendencies 
are  to  an  indulgence  in  the  ever-present  wine  or  its 
demon  brothers  of  other  names,  and  whether  a  founda- 
tion is  being  laid  for  the  future  need  of  a  thing,  the 
use  of  which  chills  the  warmth  of  family  firesides." 

"  You  mean  abuse,  no  doubt  ?  " 

"  No,  father,  I  said  use,  meaningly.  I  would  that 
the  later  years  of  my  married  life  should  be  spent  in 
the  same  beautiful  companionship  and  higher  enjoy- 
ments that  the  earlier  ones  promise.  I  would  look 
upon  the  feeble  old  man  who  will  then  sit  by  my  side, 
with  the  same  love  for  his  clean  heart,  and  the  same 


58  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

honor  for  his  clear  brain  and  its  elevating  thoughts, 
which  I  have  for  those  of  the  vigorous  one  who  stands 
beside  me  and  receives  the  adoration  of  my  youth. 
I  would  that  he  should  carry  to  the  end  all  the  finer 
perceptions  of  the  beauty  of  a  life  intimacy  made 
glorious  by  loving  acts  and  gentle  words,  and  I  pray 
that  no  disturber  may  intervene. 

"  This  thing  of  many  names  that  men  use  to  cheer 
their  brains  and  emphasize  their  enjoyments,  is  mak- 
ing vast  inroads  into  the  beautiful  and  elevating 
purposes  of  life.  By  it,  the  woman  of  taste  and 
culture,  as  well  as  the  one  of  humble  attainments,  is 
being  wrongfully  deprived  of  her  right  to  aspiring 
and  ennobling  companionship,  and  by  it  the  better 
impulses  of  her  heart  and  the  higher  longings  of  her 
soul  are  deprived  of  their  daily  sustenance.  Its  use 
first  deprives  her  companion  of  all  the  more  delicate 
shades  of  thought  which  direct  his  mind  to  their 
mutual  advance  in  intellectual  paths  ;  next  ft  takes 
from  him  the  finer  perceptions  of  correct  action  and 
causes  him  to  be  polite  where  he  should  be  loving, 
and  indifferent  where  he  should  be  polite ;  next  his 
sense  of  justice  is  obscured,  and  he  forgets  the  right 
of  the  wife  to  his  sympathetic  encouragement  and 
cheer,  self  obtrudes,  and  things  of  life  that  before  had 
interest,  become  distasteful ;  he  retrogrades  mentally 
until  he  will  fully  comprehend  but  one  thing ;  that, 
with  a  man  of  character,  is  usually  his  business.  He 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS  59 

is  then  a  social  monomaniac  ;  returning,  always  re- 
turning, from  the  unfinished  discussion  of  general 
interest  to  the  all-absorbing  reiterations  of  trade  or 
profession.  There  can  be  nothing  more  dreadful  to 
a  woman  of  clear  brain,  fine  attainments  and  varied 
thought  than  to  have  given  the  love  of  her  soul  to 
such  a  one.  It  is  said  that  a  woman's  love  once  given 
clings  to  its  object  through  all  vicissitudes,  and  what 
must  be  her  anguish  to  love  and  to  pity  the  same 
man  through  all  the  long  dull  years  of  her  declining 
life!" 

"  Josephine,  your  apprehensions  have  enlarged  the 
danger.  I  have  indulged  in  what  you  call  '  a  thing 
with  many  names  '  since  my  youth,  and  I  cannot  feel 
that  I  have  become  unfitted  for  the  intimate  society 
of  a  good  woman." 

Loving  arms  were  around  John  Haldon's  neck,  and 
a  loving  kiss  upon  his  cheek. 

''No!  no!  my  father,  not  now,  not  yet.  Forgive 
me,  father,  but  what  it  has  already  done  to  you 
causes  my  fear." 

There  are  times  in  every  life  when  a  few  words 
fall  upon  the  ear,  a  short  sentence,  perhaps  spoken 
by  a  neighbor  or  a  stranger,  perhaps  by  a  child  or  a 
servant,  that  at  first  have  an  unfamiliar  sound  as  of  a 
new  language,  but  which,  as  they  sink  into  the  cham- 
bers of  the  brain,  develop  into  volumes  of  revelation 
which  throw  light  into  all  the  crevices  of  the  soul. 


60  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

You  see  that  it  is  not  what  you  had  thought,  and  feel 
a  strange  tenant  taking  possession  of  your  existence. 
The  old  one  never  comes  back  to  you  again. 

John  Haldon  felt  that  he  was  that  which  he  had 
not  known.  His  heart  did  not  rebel  against  her 
words,  and  his  tongue  gave  no  protest.  No  need  for 
her  to  tell  him  that  when  a  child  she  was  taken  to  his 
arms  on  all  occasions  when  they  met  and  lavishly 
gratified  in  heart  by  caresses  and  loving  words,  or 
that  with  childlike  interest  he  noted  all  her  little  gems 
of  action,  was  sad  when  she  grieved,  and  rejoiced 
with  her  smiles  and  laughter.  No  need  to  tell  him 
that  when  a  girl  she  had  his  patient  aid  in  all  her 
mental  tasks,  and  by  his  gentle  constant  care  her 
path  to  knowledge  was  strewn  with  flowers  ;  that  he 
was  ever  mindful  of  her  higher  needs,  and  with 
pleasant  history  and  charming  story  directed  her 
thoughts  to  elevating  themes.  No  need  to  tell  him 
that  her  younger  sister,  fairer  than  she,  had  never 
known  him  thus. 

No  word  of  trouble,  no  gesture  of  impatience,  had 
ever  been  known  in  the  family  life  of  John  Haldon, 
yet  he  sat  by  his  daughter's  side  with  silent  convic- 
tion of  a  wrong  too  great  for  the  mediation  of 
repentance.  Perhaps  he  could  mitigate  his  punish- 
ment and  restore  to  her  the  jewels  of  her  childhood 
by  the  endearing  words  of  other  days,  but  they  came 
to  his  tongue  in  sentences  of  strange  construction 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  61 

and  he  suppressed  their  utterance.  Perhaps  a  look 
of  love,  such  as  she  used  to  say  the  angels  must  have 
sent  him,  would  bring  her  heart's  forgiveness  and 
open  the  doors  of  his  imprisoned  affections,  but 
when  he  raised  his  eyes  his  soul  refused  them  luster. 

"  Father,  have  I  offended  ?"  aroused  him  from  a 
reverie  that  had  nearly  become  a  trance.  He  had  for- 
gotten the  present  and  the  things  about  him ;  forgotten 
the  daughter  by  his  side,  and  gone  back  to  visit  the 
John  Haldon  of  his  early  manhood,  who  refused  him 
recognition  and  taunted  him  with  unworthiness. 

"  No,  Josephine,  but  I  cannot  give  this  subject  any 
further  thought,  not  to-night.  I  will  investigate  as 
you  suggest,  and  we  will  resume  it  upon  some  future 
evening  not  far  distant.  Will  you  sing  for  me  ?" 

She  went  to  the  piano  in  the  parlor  and  sang ;  new 
compositions,  gems  of  opera,  old  home  songs,  and 
verses  of  love.  An  hour  passed  and  no  word  of 
request  or  approbation  came  from  her  father,  who  still 
sat  at  his  desk  in  the  library.  When  her  songs  were 
ended  he  came  out  and  gave  her  a  good-night  kiss, 
and  without  turning,  as  usual,  to  the  locker  in  the 
dining-room,  went  to  his  chamber. 


CHAPTER  V. 


"I  can  use  it  or  let  it  alone,"  is  the  motto  of 
jailiions.    The  crest  is  a  grinning  devil's  head. 

S  serious 
manner  the  next 
day  caused  many 
inquiries  from  his 
business  associ- 
ates and  friends 
regarding  his 
health  or  possible 
perplexities,  they 
having  observed 
that  something  of 
an  unusual  nature 
was  claiming  his 

attention.  Josephine's  thoughts,  expressed  the  eve- 
ning before,  were  revelations  of  his  retrogression  in 
family  and  social  action,  and  his  own  conclusions 
suggested  a  proportionate  decline  of  mercantile 
acumen. 

Fifteen  years  had  now  elapsed  since  his  partnership 
admission  into  the  house  of  Stetson  and  Burley,  and 
during  that  time  he  had  used  liquors  for  the  purpose 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  63 

of  furthering  the  interests  of  the  firm,  and  for  social 
enjoyments.  He  had  not  considered  their  use  to  be 
an  injury  to  his  mental  or  physical  powers,  and  had, 
in  common  with  others  who  indulge,  supposed  that 
an  application  of  will  power  was  all  that  would  be 
necessary  to  enable  him  to  discontinue  that  use. 
Holding  this  opinion,  and  being  convinced  that  this 
would  be  better  for  his  family,  himself,  and  his  busi- 
ness, he  resolved  to  "let  it  alone,"  and  started  upon 
that  journey  of  abstinence  which  harbors  along  its 
route,  giants  who  resist,  and  sirens  who  lure.  Few 
there  are  who  escape  and  reach  their  destination. 

During  the  afternoon  his  mind  was  disturbed  by 
close  attention  given  to  business,  unaided  by  the 
usual  stimulant  to  spur  his  endeavors,  and  without 
his  memorandum  he  would  have  forgotten  Mrs. 

Sharkey,  and    her   number,  Wabash  avenue. 

While  he  questioned  the  propriety  of  a  call,  in  the 
evening  he  felt  much  depressed  and  reasoned  that 
perhaps  an  act  of  kindness  to  one  in  need  might  also 
be  of  benefit  to  himself,  and  at  the  suggested  time 
he  rang  the  bell  of  that  lady's  door.  He  was  re- 
ceived graciously. 

"Ah,  Mister  Haldon,  it  was  so  good  av  ye  to 
come.  I  could  see  ye  was  a  good  man  whin  I  was 
at  yer  store." 

She  then  led  the  way  to  the  first  floor  room  back, 
and  lighted  other  gas  jets  in  the  chandelier. 


64  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

11  It's  hersilf  has  been  wid  me  the  day  a-fixin'  over 
some  dresses  she  said  she  wore  whin  she  was  goin'  to 
school,  an'  the  way  she  tuk  thim  in  here,  an'  let  thim 
out  there,  an'  made  thim  luk  exac'ly  like  they  was 
jist  away  from  the  dressmaker  wud  be  astonishin'  to 
ye.  She  said  she  liked  old  dresses  if  they  was 
dacent  an'  didn't  be  shabby,  'cause  they  was  a-remindin' 
her  of  times  whin  she  didn't  be  knowin'  they  was 
anythin'  in  this  world  at  all  but  to  be  j'y'us.  Poor 
dear !  She's  been  actin'  that  ankshis  and  low  spirited 
that  I  cud  a  cried  fer  her,  an'  I've  done  the  bist  I  cud 
to  cheer  her  up,  but  I'm  a  poor  woman  widout  much 
eddication,  an'  I  belave  that  somebuddy  that's  more 
her  kind  an'  wud  know  how  to  advise  wid  her,  wud 
make  her  be  jist  as  happy  as  she  iver  was,  but  she  don't 
be  wantin'  to  crowd  hersilf  onywhere,  she's  that  par- 
ticular, and  she's  that  pritty  she  cud  git  in  any  society 
in  the  world." 

"If  she  has  been  with  you  during  the  day  she  will 
not  be  likely  to  come  in  the  evening." 

"Ah,  Mister  Haldon,  that  she  will;  she  left  some 
av  her  things  on  the  sewin'  machine,  beyant,  a  whole 
pile  av  thim,  an'  wud  not  be  lavin'  thim  in  me  way 
the  night,  she's  that  particular  ;"  and  even  while  she 
spoke  the  outer  door  was  heard  to  close  lightly. 
"  That's  hersilf  now  ;  she  don't  ring  the  bell,  'cause  I 
told  her  we  was  that  aquainted  'twas  like  mesilf 
comin'  in.  I'll  go  to  the  hall  and  tell  her  somethin' 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  65 

why  a  gintlemin  like  yersilf  should  be  callin'  at  me 
house  in  the  avenin'." 

The  low  conversation  of  the  women  in  the  hall 
was  interrupted  by  the  clang  of  the  door-bell.      Hal- 
don  heard  Mrs.  Sharkey  say  to  the  other,  "  Ye  go 
right  into  the  room,  the  gintlemin  will  not  disturb  ye,  ' 
an'  I  will  anser  the  door  bell." 

The  lady  came  in,  closed  the  door  behind  her,  and 
without  a  glance  to  that  part  of  the  room  in  which 
Haldon  was  seated,  she  walked  to  the  sewing  machine 
and  began  to  arrange  her  work  as  if  to  remove  it. 

A  remembrance  of  youth,  and  innocence,  and 
beauty,  came  upon  John  Haldon.  He  arose  from  his 
seat  with  the  impulse  of  recognition  and  went  towards 
her.  She  turned  as  he  approached  and  stood  before 
him  in  the  full  light  of  the  chandelier.  He  saw  the 
soft  brown  eyes,  the  confiding  smile,  and  the  entic- 
ing form  of  Celestine  Folsom  ;  the  eyes  more  tender, 
the  smile  more  alluring,  and  the  form  more  enchant- 
ing than  those  of  girlhood.  He  took  her  hand  res- 
pectfully and  told  her  of  his  surprise  in  words  of 
pleasure,  and  of  the  memory  that  had  kept  with  him 
since  their  first  meeting. 

Celestine  said,  "Then  you  have  sometimes  thought 
of  the  school  girl  that  you  met  on  the  train?" 

u  Quite  often,  and  I  am  pleased  to  meet  the  woman 
that  she  has  become,  and  would  know,  should  she 
consent  to  tell  me,  if  the  intervening  years  have 

5 


66  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

brought   happiness,  or  whether  unmerited  troubles 
have  appeared." 

Celestine  arranged  his  seat  and  sat  before  him,  still 
keeping  herself  in  the  full  light  of  the  chandelier, 
and  told  him  that  her  pleasures  had  been  few  ;  that 
she  had  married  soon  after  he  saw  her  on  the  train, 
because  of  the  advice  and  solicitation  of  parents  and 
friends,  and  supposed  that  her  husband  was  a  man  of 
brains,  as  her  mother  told  her  that  any  man  who 
had  the  means  that  he  possessed,  must  be,  and 
that  because  he  was  not  vivacious  and  brilliant,  she 
must  not  suppose  him  dull,  but  would,  with  longer 
acquaintance,  find  in  him  much  merit.  As  she  was 
young  and  inexperienced,  she  had  taken  him  and 
found  that  he  had  inherited  wealth  and  had  already 
lost  the  most  of  it  by  injudicious  ventures.  She  did 
not  care  so  much  for  that,  as  she  could  bear  anything 
for  the  sake  of  a  brainy  man  whom  she  could  look 
upon  with  pride,  but  she  found  him  to  be  of  the  lower 
order  in  intellect,  and  a  while  after  marriage,  gross  in 
habits.  That  he  died  three  years  after  their  mar- 
riage, and  she  could  not  mourn,  as  she  could  see 
nothing  to  grieve  about. 

She  went  home  to  her  father,  and  as  she  detested 
everything  connected  with  her  married  life,  she  had 
resumed  her  old  name  and  was  still  Celestine  Folsom, 
and  would  so  continue,  except  when  she  might  have 
some  law  business  and  was  obliged  to  sign  her  mar- 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  67 

ried  name.     Her  father  died  and  her  mother  married 
again ;  then   the  old  home  seemed  a  strange  place, 
and  she  came  to  Chicago  because  she  had  supposed 
that  the  little  her  father  had  given   to  her  and  the 
remnants  of  her  husband's  inheritance  would  support 
her  in  a  modest  quiet  way,  and  that  she  could  see 
more  of  the  attractive  things  of  life,  and  find  better 
facilities  for  completing  her  musical  education,  unfin- 
ished at  school.     Besides,  she  had  so  much  unsought 
attention  in  the  town  where  she  lived,  and  received 
so  many  offers  of  marriage  that  she  was  annoyed. 
She  did  not  believe  that  she  would  ever  marry  again, 
as  it  seemed  to  her  that  all  the  men  of  brains,  and 
other  qualities  which  attracted  her,  were  already  mar- 
ried.    Latterly  she  had  found  a  difficulty  regarding 
payments  from  people  who  were   in  her  husband's 
debt,  and  this  had  caused  anxiety  regarding  her  future 
income.     She  had  sorely  felt  the  need  of  an  adviser 
since  her  father  died,  and  could  not  afford  to  employ 
an  attorney. 

Haldon's  sympathy  impelled  him  to  say,  "I  would 
be  pleased  to  aid  you  with  any  advice  that  may  be 
safely  given  without  professional  legal  knowledge." 

Thanks  beamed  from  the  soft  brown  eyes  and 
gave  greater  assurance  of  gratitude  than  the  pleasant 
words  from  her  tongue.  After  a  further  conversa- 
tion relating  to  her  affairs  she  said  :  "  My  rooms  are 
opposite,  and  all  my  papers  and  letters  are  there.  I 


68  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

have  a  comfortable  parlor.  If  you  can  give  me  a 
little  time,  we  will  go  there." 

Upon  Haldon's  consent  to  accompany  her  she  led 
the  way  to  the  street  and  forgot  the  bundle  on  the 
sewing  machine. 

A  room  is  the  outward  manifestation  of  the  intel- 
lectual furnishment  of  its  occupant,  and  gives  sugges- 
tions of  character  and  tendencies.  Some  rooms 
present  to  the  mind  a  symmetry  and  completeness 
of  character  and  personality,  while  others  suggest 
peculiar  and  prominent  qualities.  In  these,  articles 
and  arrangements  obtrude  themselves  upon  the  sense 
of  a  visitor. 

Upon  entering  Celestine's  parlor  Haldon  was  con- 
scious of  a  different  impression  from  that  received 
upon  entering  the  rooms  of  his  intimates  or  social 
friends.  Had  he  been  a  philosopher,  he  would  have 
seen  her  character  scattered  round  about  him,  but  he 
was  a  merchant  with  finer  perceptions  dulled  by 
alcohol,  so  that  what  he  did  see  was,  individual 
articles  obtruding  themselves  upon  his  notice,  and 
that  they  were  endowed  with  the  potency  of  sugges- 
tion. The  first  that  compelled  his  attention  was  the 
large  easy-chair  with  cushioned  arms;  it  seemed  to 
expect  his  use  ;  he  did,  in  fact,  approach  it  before 
Celestine  requested  him  to  be  seated,  and  after  she 
had  retired  to  the  dressing-room  to  remove  her  wraps 
and  arrange  her  hair,  which  the  wind  had  disturbed, 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  69 

his  attention  was  claimed  by  other  articles  with  the 
same  force  of  obtrusiveness  as  by  the  easy-chair. 

He  noticed  one  footstool  of  three,  which  was  made 
lower  and  broader  than  the  others ;  he  knew  that  she 
would  push  it  to  his  feet  when  she  came  in ;  his  eyes 
rested  upon  the  lounge  covered  with  crimson  silk ;  it 
suggested  the  outlines  of  Celestine's  form  reclining 
on  its  length ;  and  in  the  pier  glass,  between  the 
windows,  Celestine's  confiding  smile  came  and  went 
with  the  flicker  of  the  grate  fire  opposite. 

The  curtains  hanging  across  the  arched  opening 
to  the  sleeping-room  swayed  to  and  fro,  parted  in 
their  motions,  held  their  edges  back  and  wantonly 
invited  observation  of  luxurious  privacy.  Embroid- 
ered pockets  of  shining  beads  were  deftly  caught  by 
ribboned  meshes  to  the  door-knobs  and  obtruded 
their  unfamiliar  uses.  An  armless  bamboo  chair, 
with  low  seat  and  back,  seemed  looking  for  its  hiding- 
place  behind  form  and  drapery,  and  proclaimed  its 
intention  to  aid  in  display  of  outlines  and  unrestricted 
movements,  and  the  painting  that  hung  over  the 
mantel  obtruded  its  assertion  of  the  owner's  regard 
for  purity  and  innocence.  All  else  in  the  room 
seemed  to  shrink  from  observation. 

Celestine  soon  returned,  bringing  with  her  a  bundle 
of  papers,  well  arranged  and  secured  by  ribbons  neatly 
tied  in  double  bows,  laid  it  on  the  broad-cushioned 
arm  of  the  easy-chair  in  which  Haldon  was  sitting, 


70  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

pushed  to  his  feet  the  low  footstool  of  the  three, 
placed  the  bamboo  chair  close  by  it,  and  seated  her- 
self, the  light  from  the  gas  jets  above  his  head  shining 
full  upon  her,  showing  all  the  finer  details  of  perfect 
features  and  complexion  and  the  rounded  and  supple 
lines  of  form. 

She  took  the  bundle  and  opened  it,  handing  to 
him  the  papers  which  perplexed  her.  They  were 
what  she  had  called  the  remnants  of  her  husband's 
inheritance.  As  he  died  childless,  and  no  other  heirs 
appeared  or  could  be  found,  she  was  allowed  all  the 
benefits  of  what  remained.  Mortgages  on  small 
holdings  in  a  western  town,  deserted  by  the  reckless 
boom  that  conceived  it,  with  partial,  remote,  and  a 
few  recent  payments  indicated  on  the  notes,  consti- 
tuted the  principal  value.  A  certificate  of  stock, 
covering  one-fourth  interest  in  a  silver  mine,  the 
name  of  which  was  not  familiar  to  Haldon,  was  the 
remainder.  She  also  informed  him  that  she  had 
some  things  relating  to  her  father's  estate,  of  which 
her  mother  was  the  executrix.  She  did  not  wish  to 
consider  them  with  one  who  was  almost  a  stranger 
to  her,  but  might  do  so  in  the  future.  A  very  deli- 
cate family  matter  was  involved  with  these. 

About  the  mortgages  upon  which  she  depended 
for  present  needs,  she  wished  that  she  could  know 
whether  foreclosure  was  the  better  course  to  pursue, 
and  feared  that  this  might  deprive  her  of  all  income, 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  71 

perhaps  for  a  year,  and  she  did  not  know  how  she 
could  maintain  herself  were  she  deprived  of  it. 

Haldon  proposed  to  take  them  and  correspond 
with  parties  whom  he  knew  in  that  section  and  ascer- 
tain particulars,  and  would  also  take  the  mining  cer- 
tificate and  ascertain  its  value. 

With  thanks  so  fervently  given  that  Haldon  felt 
over-paid  for  his  attention,  she  began  to  arrange  and 
secure  the  papers  in  convenient  form  for  reference. 
As  she  did  so,  a  card  fell  from  among  them  to  the 
cushioned  arm  of  the  chair.  With  delighted  gestures 
Celestine  said,  "  I  am  so  glad  to  find  it ;  I  feared  that 
it  was  lost  and  have  looked  everywhere  for  it." 

She  took  it  from  the  arm  of  the  chair  and  placed 
it  among  the  leaves  of  a  copy  of  Byron  that  lay  upon 
the  table  to  her  right.  In  the  instant  that  it  remained 
on  the  arm  of  the  chair,  Haldon  had  seen  his  own 
name  and  city  written  upon  it.  He  had  noted  her 
pleasure  when  it  fell  upon  her  sight  and  the  care  she 
evinced  for  its  future  safety.  The  subtle  flattery  of 
its  careful  preservation  for  many  years  aroused  his 
selfhood  and  pointed  to  his  many  claims  for  admi- 
ration. 

"  What  could  I  have  said,  Miss  Folsom,  that  you 
should  remember  our  interview  and  preserve  its 
memento  with  such  care  ?" 

"Mr.  Haldon,  you  came  to  my  seat  in  the  car  and 
when  you  spoke  to  me  it  seemed  that  I  had  been  a 


72  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

long  time  acquainted  with  you.  You  talked  about 
things  I  had  thought  about  and  took  an  interest  in 
those  I  was  engaged  in,  and  I  felt  like  telling  you 
everything  I  knew.  I  felt  that  you  knew  all  about 
me,  and  I  even  felt  astonished  when  you  asked  me 
what  my  name  was  and  where  I  lived.  I  never  met 
anybody  else  like  that,  and  you  won't  blame  me  for 
thinking  about  you  sometimes," 

"  Miss  Folsom,  I  supposed  that  you  would  ascribe 
my  effort  to  please  simply  to  the  admiration  that  all 
must  have  had  for  your  manner  and  personality." 

"  I  did  not  believe  so  about  you,  Mr.  Haldon,  and 
I  was  not  thinking  of  my  own  attractions,  either, 
when  I  was  talking  with  you." 

Haldon  was  impressed  with  that  sense  of  being 
appreciated  which  is  the  essence  of  companionship, 
and  he  forgot  about  Celestine's  unknown  social  rank, 
her  tangled  grammar  and  her  unfinished  training  in 
the  school  of  thought,  and  with  words  of  intellectual 
strength  he  gave  her  pleasure  for  an  hour.  At  the 
end  of  a  conversation  relating  to  the  sociabilities  of  a 
domestic  life,  she  said  : 

"It  was  always  my  ambition  to  marry  a  brainy 
man,  but  I  was  so  disappointed  that  I  shall  never 
think  of  marriage  again.  I  have  admiration  for  intel- 
ligence and  am  so  thankful  to  you  for  the  gratification 
that  you  have  given  me  this  evening,  and  I  cannot 
bear  to  think  that  this  is  only  an  acquaintance  which 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  73 

will  end  when  your  charitable  object  shall  have  been 
accomplished  in  my  favor.  I  do  not  believe  women 
generally  appreciate  the  value  of  intellect  in  their 
husbands,  but  keep  up  associations  with  other  women 
and  spend  most  of  their  time  in  society,  and  it  seems 
strange  to  me.  If  I  had  such  a  husband,  I  would 
give  him  and  his  home  every  moment  of  my  life.  I 
would  look  for  new  ways  to  minister  to  his  pleas- 
ure and  keep  him  always  by  me.  There  is  nothing 
that  I  would  not  do  to  make  him  love  me." 

While  speaking,  she  had  rested  her  arm  upon  the 
cushioned  one  of  Haldon's  chair  and  brought  her 
beautiful  face  near  to  his.  He  saw  innocence  in  the 
eyes  and  frankness  in  the  smile,  but  the  outlines  of 
the  drapery  and  form  seemed  about  to  enfold  him. 

Rising,  he  said,  "  I  shall  see  you  occasionally  with 
pleasure,  and  upon  receipt  of  information  regarding 
the  mortgages  I  will  call  upon  you  again.  The 
requirements  of  my  business  are  of  such  a  nature  that 
I  can  see  you  only  in  the  evening,  and  I  will  send 
you  a  message  the  day  before  that  you  may  be  at 
home  when  I  call" 

"Mr.  Haldon,  that  is  not  necessary.  I  never  go 
out,  except  across  the  street,  and  never  stay  there 
through  the  evening.  You  know  that  I  have  no 
acquaintance  here  and  do  not  encourage  any,  and 
you  will  always  find  me  ready  to  hear  what  you  may 
have  to  say." 


74  THE  JUNIOR  PAHT.NER3. 

The  remembrance  that  John  Haldon  took  with 
him  upon  the  street  was  that  of  an  enticing  person- 
ality— Celestine's  eyes,  her  face  and  form. 

When  in  his  chamber  he  thought  with  pleasure 
upon  his  forgetfulness  of  the  usual  evening  stimulant 
and  complacently  regarded  himself  beyond  the  influ- 
ence of  desire  for  further  indulgence  ;  but  the  night 
was  restless  and  the  morning  brought  annoyances. 
As  the  conversation  during  the  family  reunion  brought 
none  of  its  wonted  interest  and  pleasure,  he  went 
earlier  than  usual  to  his  office,  and  immediately  upon 
his  arrival  there,  to  his  work,  with  correspondence 
and  other  duties.  Just  before  the  noon  hour  he  made 
a  remarkable  discovery.  His  work,  that  had  usually 
occupied  the  whole  day  and  sometimes  invaded  his 
hours  for  recreation,  was  finished.  Attention  to 
occasional  customers  or  solicitations  from  importunate 
brokers  there  might  be,  but  the  solid  work  of  the  day 
was  done  and  the  amount  was  the  usual  average. 

He  thought  of  Celestine's  mortgages,  and  that  he 
could  use  the  spare  time  of  the  afternoon  in  corres- 
pondence regarding  them,  which  he  did  by  writing  a 
letter  to  a  valued  customer  whose  place  of  business 
was  in  the  same  town  in  which  their  claims  were 
recorded,  requesting  him,  as  a  personal  favor,  to 
make  a  close  investigation,  not  only  as  to  value,  but 
also  regarding  the  probable  disposition  and  ability  of 
the  different  mortgagees  to  pay  in  whole  or  in  part, 


THE  JUNIOR   PARTNERS.  75 

and  whether  such  payments  could  be  expected  in  the 
near  future ;  asked  his  advice  relating  to  the  best 
course  to  pursue,  and  covered  all  the  range  of  enquiry 
that  he  would  require  of  an  attorney  who  was 
employed  in  his  own  affairs.  He  took  the  certificate 
of  stock  in  the  silver  mine,  and,  without  expecting 
valuable  information,  read  it  to  the  end,  and  found 
among  the  signatures  of  other  official  names  that  of 
Bentley  Ware,  Secretary. 

Haldon  credited  him  with  the  control  of  large 
means,  as  the  business  in  which  he  said  he  was 
engaged  required  it ;  also,  with  the  possession  of 
good  judgment,  as  he  had  often  come  to  him  for 
advice.  He  did  not  believe  that  Ware  would  invest 
in  anything  unless  it  would  bear  investigation,  and 
found  himself  rejoicing  that  Celestine's  one-fourth 
interest  in  the  "Silver  Star"  mine  might  be  of  great 
value,  and  thought  of  an  immediate  interview  with 
Ware  regarding  it 

Every  man  who  has  been  long  engaged  in  business 
is  sometimes  conscious  of  an  influence  that  leads  him 
away  from  the  line  of  action  that  has  the  full  approval 
of  his  reason,  and  an  impulse,  as  from  the  air  about 
him,  suggests  another  course,  and  he  acts  upon  it. 
So  Haldon,  instead  of  seeking  Ware  as  the  most 
reasonable  source  of  information,  directed  a  letter  to 
an  attorney  in  Tucson,  near  which  city  the  "  Silver 
Star"  was  located,  enclosed  a  small  check  as  a 


76  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

retainer,  and  made  enquiries  regarding  the  mine,  and 
incidentally  of  the  financial  and  social  standing  of  the 
officers,  especially  the  Secretary. 

As  there  was  still  an  hour  before  the  usual  time 
for  his  family  dinner,  he  left  the  office  and  went  to 
one  of  the  principal  hotels,  examined  the  register 
and  found  among  the  recent  arrivals  the  names  of 
two  valued  customers  from  the  Far  West.  He  was 
astonished  to  feel  a  regret  that  they  had  come.  He 
must  be  with  them  during  the  evening.  They  were 
more  than  customers,  they  were  his  friends  of  long 
acquaintance  ;  they  were  liberal  men  who  loved  good 
cheer,  and  from  him  they  expected  aid  in  their  enjoy- 
ments ;  they  were  convivial,  especially  so  when  they 
were  in  Chicago,  so  far  away  from  home,  and  as  they 
came  only  twice  a  year  they  expected  much  pleasure. 
They  were  heavy  buyers. 

Haldon  was  perplexed.  What  should  he  do?  He 
could  not  avoid  a  meeting.  The  interests  of  his 
house  demanded  that  they  should  be  properly  enter- 
tained. This,  to  him, meant  the  use  of  wine. 

The  desire  for  drink  includes  nothing  of  the  nature 
of  a  habit.  It  is  a  demand  of  the  whole  being,  cor- 
poreal and  mental,  caused  by  the  effect  of  previous 
indulgence  in  the  use  of  a  poison,  and  this  demand  is 
graduated  in  strength  by  the  volume  of  that  previous 
indulgence  ;  but  about  the  gratification  of  that  desire 
cluster  habits  of  life  that  hold  the  man  to  certain 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  77 

lines  of  action  in  all  his  relations  to  other  men,  and 
when  suddenly  compelled  to  different  methods  he 
feels  himself  to  be  a  student  where  before  he  was  a 
master.  This  applies  to  all  social,  political,  pro- 
fessional and  business  methods,  with  the  greater  force 
upon  all  lines  where  money-getting  is  the  absorbing 
object. 

Haldon  sent  his  card  to  his  customers,  and  after 
the  usual  ceremonies  of  greeting,  an  interchange  of 
views  upon  business  prospects,  and  comments  regard- 
ing things  of  general  interest,  one  of  his  friends 
proposed  a  visit  to  the  hotel  bar.  At  this  instant 
there  came  upon  John  Haldon  that  inexplicable  im- 
pulse towards  falsehood  which  is  experienced  by  every 
one  who  uses  intoxicants  ;  truthfully  let  it  be  stated, 
and  plainly  ;  an  impulse  to  give  false  reasons  for  their 
use,  and  false  reasons  for  the  discontinuance  of  that 
use.  Within  these  poisons  is  the  subtle  chemistry 
of  lies.  The  plea  of  ill  health  was  upon  his  tongue : 
"Stop;  John  Haldon  is  not  a  liar,  neither  is  he  a 
coward."  With  this  thought  for  a  guide,  he  told 
them  the  exact  truth — that  he  had  drank  so  much 
with  customers  and  friends  that  he  felt  an  injury  and 
had  resolved  to  discontinue  the  use  of  liquors. 

He  imagined  a  coldness  in  their  acceptance  of  his 
invitation  to  be  his  guests  during  the  evening,  and 
when  he  met  them  at  the  appointed  time  his  sugges- 


78  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

tions  for  the  evening's  entertainment  were  received 
by  them  with  a  seeming  indifference. 

The  play  at  the  theatre  was  dull.     Where  he  had 
before  found  food  for  thought  and  inspiration  for  a 
spirited  conversation  between  the  acts,  he  now  heard 
only  stale  dialogue  and  looked  upon  common  situa- 
tions.    Hoping  that  a  supper  after  the  theatre  might 
break  the  restraint  of  the  evening,  he  escorted  his 
friends  to  his  club  and  drew  upon  its  resources  for  all 
which  might  be  desirable  to  the  taste  of  an  epicure. 
The  table  conversation  was  spiritless.      His  friends 
declined  wine  in  deference  to  their  host,  and  as  their 
mentalities  were  also  dependent  upon  stimulants  for 
ordinary  action,  a  mental  depression  seized  upon  the 
party  that  made  their  parting  a  grateful  relief.     He 
heard  tones  of  reproach  in  their  "good  night,"  and 
when  they  assured  him  of  a  business  call  upon  the 
following  day  he  imagined  traces  of  sarcasm  in  their 
speech. 

As  he  passed  by  "  Lowman  and  Stone's  Place,"  he 
heard  the  cheerful  words  and  laughter  of  a  rival  who 
was  entertaining  his  customers  royally.  He  had  met 
one  of  the  giants  who  resist,  and  was  not  the  con- 
queror. This  giant  came  to  him  daily.  He  went  to 
bed  chiding  himself  for  doing  a  foolish  thing  that 
would  alienate  friends  and  trade.  He  was  nervous 
and  sleepless.  Strange  tremors  ran  along  his  nerves, 
and  strange  pains  were  in  his  vitals. 


THE  JUNIOR  PAKTNEES.  7y 

This  was  only  the  second  night.  A  week  passed  ; 
its  days  full  of  vexations  which  seemed  to  have  been 
sent  purposely  to  weaken  his  resolution.  The  neces- 
sity for  excuses,  explanations  and  apologies,  regard- 
ing his  change  of  habit,  annoyed  him,  and  even  the 
commendation  of  valued  temperance  friends  discon- 
certed him. 

His  senior  partner,  during  a  business  interview, 
called  his  attention  to  the  fact  that  a  regular  customer 
from  Laramie  had  favored  a  rival  house  with  a  divi- 
sion of  his  patronage,  and  that  latterly  others  did  not 
seem  to  buy  as  freely  as  usual,  and  said,  when  speak- 
ing of  the  sharp  competition  of  the  times,  "We 
should  increase  our  vigilance,  and  each  in  his  sphere 
of  action  use  all  means  within  reach  to  retain  and 
extend  our  trade." 

Haldon  accepted  all  this  as  referring  to  himself, 
and  felt  his  partner  considered  his  change  of  habit  to 
be  ill-advised  and  something  that  was  likely  to  affect 
the  interests  of  the  firm. 

His  nights  had  become  almost  sleepless  and  filled  - 
with  weird   imaginings.     To   the  short  intervals  of 
sleep  came  strange  dreams  of  calamity  and  fancied 
indulgence  in   burning  wine,  the  odor  of  which  on 
a  sudden  awakening  seemed  to  fill  the  room. 

A  family  invitation  came  to  attend  a  formal  society 
reception,  and  he  hastened  to  write  an  acceptance, 
hoping  in  the  display  of  beauty  and  adornment  to 


50  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

change  the  tenor  of  his  thoughts,  but  the  sound  of 
uncorking  champagne  and  the  tinkle  of  glasses 
drowned  the  silvery  laugh  of  women  and  obscured 
their  charms,  took  his  mind  from  the  requirements  of 
gallantry  and  obligations  of  fellowship,  and  left  him 
alone  in  the  contemplation  of  a  desire.  Fair  women 
offered  him  the  coveted  wine  and  pressed  his  accept- 
ance ;  with  discomfited  manner  he  refused  and  made 
excuses  for  an  early  departure. 

His  daughter  Josephine,  who  had  noticed  his 
refusal,  gave  him  a  good  night  kiss  with  more  than 
usual  fervor.  He  knew  her  reason  and  was  annoyed 
that  he  had  accepted  her  suggestions. 

He  went  to  bed,  not  to  sleep,  but  to  struggle  with 
a  desire  that  was  now  taking  possession  of  every  fibre 
of  his  being.  Arguments  against  his  resolution 
thronged  his  mind ;  repeated,  became  more  convinc- 
ing, and  discussed,  became  unanswerable.  In  the 
stiil  hour  of  early  morning  he  arose  from  his  bed 
and  went  to  the  locker  in  the  dining-room.  It 
opened  with  a  creak  that  brought  pain  to  every  nerve. 
He  closed  it  again  without  partaking  of  its  contents, 
and  returned  to  his  bed,  trembling  and  in  perspira- 
tion. Pains  as  of  fatal  diseases  shot  through  his  heart, 
his  lungs  and  brain.  Strange  quivers  seized  his 
muscles,  and  strange  fears,  his  mind.  This  was  the 
twelfth  night. 

In  the  morning  Josephine  found  him  at  the  desk 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  81 

in  the  library.  She  had  previously  noticed  his 
appearance,  as  of  fatigue  or  depression,  but  now  in 
the  trembling  form  and  pale  face  she  saw  cause  for 
alarm.  In  answer  to  her  anxious  enquiries,  he  told 
her  of  his  long  denial  of  indulgence;  his  fears  that 
abstinence,  without  a  tonic  to  sustain  the  normal 
condition  of  his  system,  had  proved  to  be  an  injury; 
that  he  thought  best  to  consult  a  physician  and  follow 
his  advice.  She  suggested  Dr.  Davis,  whose  home 
was  near  by. 

This  man  was  one  who  told  what  he  knew  to  be  the 
truth  and  regarded  not  popularity  or  income.  His 
name  should  be  endowed  with  immortality.  Exhaust- 
ive in  enquiry,  and  broad  in  his  conception  of  conse- 
quences, with  learned  tongue  and  honest  pen,  he  had 
told  of  the  danger  and  impotency  of  alcohol  as  a 
medicine,  and  of  its  fearful  ravages  in  mind  and  body 
as  a  beverage,  Haldon,  who  had  thought  him  an 
enthusiast,  and  prejudiced,  said  that  a  physician's 
visit  was  not  necessary,  but  that  he  would  go  to  his 
business,  and  should  he  then  feel  a  necessity,  he  could  ' 
seek  medical  advice  during  the  day. 

Interest  in  his  correspondence  and  the  usual  morn- 
ing duties  led  his  attention  away  from  himself  for 
a  while.  He  also  received  a  letter  concerning  Celes- 
tine's  mortgages  ;  all  of  which  employed  his  time 
until  the  noon  hour.  With  the  thought  of  luncheon 
came  a  recurrence  of  all  his  desires.  He  had  eaten 

6 


82  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

very  little  for  several  days,  and  now  he  had  no  appe- 
tite. He  sent  a  message  to  Dr.  Mallows,  who  lived 
on  Wentworth  avenue,  and  who  was  a  member  of 
his  club,  saying  that  he  wished  to  consult  with  him. 
The  Doctor  reserved  for  that  purpose  the  hour  of 
four  that  afternoon. 

At  the  appointed  time  Dr.  Mallows  gave  him  a 
graceful  reception,  and  said :  "  I  am  somewhat  sur- 
prised, Mr.  Haldon,  that  you  should  make  me  a  visit. 
I  had  always  looked  upon  you  as  one  who  would  pass 
through  life  completely  ignoring  gentlemen  of  my 
profession ;  one  whose  vigor  was  unassailable ;  but, 
our  climate!  Mr.  Haldon,  our  climate!  It  is  at 
times  what  we  might  call — er — pugnacious,  and  even 
you  do  not  seem  to  be  altogether  exempt  from  its 
attacks.  Nothing  very  serious,  I  trust?  Overwork, 
perhaps.  Busy  city,  this." 

"  Doctor,  my  condition  is  entirely  new  to  my  ex- 
perience. I  am  unable  to  sleep  soundly  and  have 
strange  feelings  of  dread,  as  if  something  terrible  was 
imminent ;  nervous  tremblings  in  the  night ;  also, 
during  the  day." 

"Accompanying  pains  in  any  part  of  your  body, 
Mr.  Haldon?" 

"  Pains  everywhere,  transient  and  local,  but 
which  seem  to  be  transferred  suddenly  from  one  organ 
to  another,  and  are  constantly  felt  in  some  part  of 
the  body." 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  b3 

"What  is  the  sensation  produced  by  them — er — 
nausea,  and  occasional  flushings  ?  " 

"  Flushings  frequently,  and  a  tendency  of  the  blood 
to  the  head.  No  nausea,  but  no  desire  for  food  I 
when  I  see  or  think  about  it,  I  am  impressed  with  a 
feeling  that  I  shall  never  require  any  more.  A 
peculiar  sensation,  or  rather  a  series  of  sensations, 
possess  me  as  the  pains  locate.  In  whichever  organ 
they  appear,  I  cannot  resist  the  belief  that  the  most 
dreaded  disease  to  which  that  organ  is  subject  has 
begun  its  ravages  ;  if  in  the  lungs,  pneumonia ;  if  in 
the  stomach,  cancer." 

"Nervous!  nervous!  Mr.  Haldon,  and  perhaps 
somewhat  climatic ;  possibly,  a  slight  indication  of 
malaria.  May  I  ask  you  regarding  your  previous 
habits  of — er — labor,  sleep,  diet,  and  so  forth?" 

"  Regular  in  every  respect,  except  perhaps  a  little 
excessive  in  business  attention,  but  not  more  so  than 
my  unusual  powers  of  endurance  would  warrant.  I 
have  used  liquors  during  the  whole  of  my  mercantile 
life,  not,  as  I  believe,  to  excess,  but  freely,  and  have 
recently  abstained.  Two  weeks  have  elapsed  since 
my  last  indulgence." 

"That  is  just  the  trouble  with  you,  Mr.  Haldon. 
One  should  never  be  too  impetuous  in  the  discon- 
tinuance of  any  habit,  more  especially  one  of  long 
indulgence,  and  which  has  become  necessary  to  the 
proper  action  of  the  physical  organs.  Should  you 


84,  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

wish   to   abstain   wholly,  which   I   do  not  consider 
necessary  or  even  advisable  for  a  man  of  your  age, 
the  indulgence  should  be  graduated  so  that  the  dif- 
ferent organs    receiving   sustenance    might  become 
accustomed  to  the  deprivation  without  injury.    Alco- 
hol— the  materia  medica  classes  all  wines,  liquors, 
cordials,  and  so  forth,  as  alcohol — delays  the  disin- 
tegration of  the  tissues  and  strengthens  their  capa- 
bilities for  the  resistance  of  waste ;  this  aid  suddenly 
removed  causes  a  breaking  down,  as  it  were,  of  these 
tissues,  and  usually  precipitates  a  disaster  to  some 
one  of  the  many  organs  requiring  its  support.    This 
fact  is  proved  by  the  wandering  pains  that  you  have 
experienced  in  the  different  organs,  caused  by  the 
effort  of  disease,  climatic  or  otherwise,  to  effect  a 
lodgment  which  nature  resists.     Had  you  been  less 
vigorous,  the  consequences  might  have  been  serious." 

"Your  advice  would  be  to  'leave  off'  gradually,  by 
using  a  less  quantity  daily  ?  " 

"If  you  intended  to  discontinue  its  use  wholly, 
Mr.  Haldon,  yes;  but  from  a  medical  standpoint,  we 
should  question  the  advisability  of — er — total  abstin- 
ence. For  a  man  of  your  age  we  should  hardly 
advise  it  Your  indulgence  is  a  habit  of  long  con- 
tinuance, and,  Mr.  Haldon,  a  diagnosis  of  our  climate 
indicates  stimulant ;  it  is  almost  irresistible  in  its 
deleterious  effects  without  the  help  of  something  to 
generate  warmth.  We  eat  oleagineous  foods  which 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  85 

aid,  but  the  extreme  variation,  especially  from  heat 
to  cold,  seems  to  compel  the  use  of  alcohol  in  some 
form.  The  bracing  atmosphere  from  the  lake  miti- 
gates whatever  adverse  physical  effects  may  be 
noticed  from  over-indulgence,  which  helps  to  prove 
our  proposition,  that  a  reasonable  use  is  of  positive 
benefit,  and  that  the  climate  requires  it,  especially  so 
from  middle  age  to  senility." 

"Well,  Doctor,  I  shall  be  governed  by  your 
decision,  as  my  present  condition  is  simply  intolerable, 
and  I  would  ask  your  judgment  regarding  future 
indulgence." 

"  Mr.  Haldon,  we  will  first  hand  to  you  a  formula 
of  sedative  action  that  will  induce  sleep.  Take  as 
directed.  If  you  have  used  whiskies  and  that  class 
of  liquors,  we  would  advise  a  change  ;  use  wines ; 
claret  at  your  meals  would  be  our  selection;  the 
others,  should  you  feel  a  need  in  the  interim,  as  your 
own  good  judgment  would  dictate.  A  little  good 
brandy  occasionally,  during  the  extremes  of  cold,  will 
not  harm  ;  and,  by  the  way,  in  the  state  that  we  at 
present  find  your  nerves,  would  suggest  that  you 
take  a  fair  drink  of  brandy  now,  or  soon,  and  another 
as  you  retire.  You  will  find  yourself  quite  yourself 
again  in  the  morning.  We  will  see  you  at  the  Club, 
no  doubt,  within  a  day  or  two,  wondering  why 
doctors  are  necessary." 

In  every  city  and  in  almost  every  village  or  town 


86  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS 

in  this  land,  are  physicians  who  argue  and  advise  as 
did  Dr.  Mallows.  These  men  are  efficient  aids  in 
spreading  the  disease  of  inebriety.  The  manifold  weak- 
nesses created  by  the  use  of  alcohol  are  the  sources 
of  their  greatest  revenue,  hence  the  advice  that  belies 
their  knowledge  of  chemistry  and  physiology. 

As  Haldon  stepped  into  his  carriage  he  directed  the 
driver  to  stop  at  "Lowman  and  Stone's  Place."  He 
remembered  that  Lowman  had  sent  word  to  his  part- 
ner, Stetson,  that  he  had  received  some  of  that  very 
old  and  very  fine  Cognac  brandy.  As  he  anticipated 
his  coming  pleasure  in  tasting,  its  pungent  and  grate- 
ful odor  seemed  to  fill  the  carriage  and  intoxicate  his 
thoughts.  The  setting  sun  appeared  to  laugh  and 
bless  the  world  with  a  benign  good  night.  Every  man 
whom  he  met  was  driving  steeds  of  air,  and  every 
woman's  face  was  wreathed  in  the  smiles  of  a  seraph; 
and  on  every  side  were  palaces  where  before  were 
houses.  As  he  came  towards  the  centre  of  the  city, 
streets  broadened,  sidewalks  were  thronged  with 
joyous  multitudes,  and  happiness  beamed  everywhere. 

Arriving  at  "  Lowman  and  Stone's  Place"  he  went 
hastily  to  the  bar  and  asked  for  the  best  brandy.  As 
he  poured  it  out  his  hand  held  the  glass  as  in  a  vise ; 
his  eyes  drank  deeply  in  anticipation,  and  he  raised 
it  to  his  lips  with  the  greediness  of  that  terrible 
power,  which  is  not  a  thirst,  but  an  irresistible  desire, 
that  overwhelms  and  impels  to  its  gratification  with 
an  impulse  of  greater  force  than  that  of  all  other 
human  desires  combined. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


Take  heed !    A  wreck  is  on  the  inner  reef, 
Hard  by  the  harbor's  channel. 

MONG  merchants  of 
liberal  education 
and  comprehen- 
sive views,  friend- 
ships of  a  close 
and  often  confi- 
dential nature  are 
not  uncommon  ; 
this  also  among 
those  whose  busi- 
ness interests  are 
in  direct  compe- 
tition. Affairs, 

even  of  a  personal  character,  are  discussed,  and  ad- 
vice and  information  of  delicate  moment  given  freely 
and  with  confident  completeness. 

Haldon's  genial  nature  had  secured  for  him  uni- 
versal friendship,  notably  among  men  in  his  own  line 
of  trade,  who  held  him  in  honorable  regard.  This 
was  especially  true  of  one  who  was  several  years  his 
junior  and  whom  it  had  been  his  pleasure  to  assist 


88  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

at  a  time  of  business  peril  This  gentleman  was  a 
member  of  a  club  to  which  Leslie  Montford  had  been 
admitted  soon  after  his  return  from  college.  To  this 
friend  Haldon  directed  the  inquiry  promised  Josephine 
regarding  the  character  and  tendency  of  Montford's 
associations  with  men. 

Among  the  inconsistencies  of  thought  is  one  that 
no  philosopher  comprehends.  Specific  acts  and  in- 
clinations of  others  are  condemned,  or  made  the 
subject  of  adverse  criticism,  but  accomplished  by  or 
found  in  ourselves  become  of  light  account  or  even 
commendable.  We  feel  exempted  from  the  laws  of 
consequence. 

In  this  manner  Haldon  now  considered  the  ques- 
tion of  indulgence  in  liquors.  He  excused  it  in  him- 
self, but  if  found  in  Montford  he  would  abhor  it,  and 
place  every  bar  in  his  power  against  his  union  with 
Josephine. 

His  inquiries  were  searching  and  exhaustive;  so 
much  so,  that  his  friend  divined  the  real  object,  al- 
though he  was  not  otherwise  informed.  His  friend, 
who  had  associated  with  Montford  for  several  years, 
said  that  he  had  never  known  him  to  taste  wine  at 
the  Club,  or  in  social  circles,  but  had  never  heard  him 
express  any  sentiment  relating  to  it,  and  did  not 
know  what  views  he  held  regarding  its  use.  He  also 
said  that  Montford's  relations  with  men  were  honor- 
able and  above  reproach.  With  this  Haldon  was 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  89 

not  entirely  satisfied.  He  wished  to  hear  that  Mont- 
ford  was  almost  fanatical  against  its  use,  and  was  so 
grounded  in  his  principles  that  he  would  not  taste  it, 
except  to  save  life,  if  that  were  possible. 

He  informed  Josephine  of  the  result  of  his  enqui- 
ries, saying  that  Montford  did  not  use  the  "thing  with 
many  names,"  and  gave  his  authority,  but  added  that 
he  appeared  to  have  no  convictions  for  or  against  its 
use,  and  said  that  there  was  only  one  young  man  in 
all  their  acquaintance  who  she  could  be  perfectly 
sure  would  never  taste  it,  and  that  one  was  Dr. 
Horace  Morton. 

Color  came  to  Josephine's  face  upon  the  mention 
of  this  name.  His  parents  lived  only  a  block  away  ; 
he  was  her  classmate  in  girlhood,  and  the  only  one 
who  had  kept  pace  with  her  advancement.  She  had 
corresponded  with  him  during  his  collegiate  course  ; 
had  taken  great  interest  in  his  ambitions  and  cheered 
him  when  beginning  the  work  of  his  profession  in 
their  own  neighborhood.  She  had  been  much  in  his. 
society  and  revered  the  good  woman  whom  he  called 
mother.  Her  own  mother  had  not  encouraged 
closer  relations,  and  she  did  not  consider  her  regard 
for  him  to  be  inspired  by  love,  but  by  an  admiration 
for  his  strength  of  mind  and  purpose. 

Leslie  Montford  proposed,  was  accepted,  and  with 
Josephine  Haldon  entered  upon  that  mysterious 
beatitude  called  love,  which  is  supposed,  in  its  first 


90  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

stages,  to  bring  unity  of  thought  and  purpose,  and 
in  the  later,  unity  of  soul. 

Congratulations  to  Josephine  upon  her  engage- 
ment were  many  and  sincere,  but  she  felt  a  need  of 
sympathy.  One  day,  amid  the  beaming  pleasure  and 
joyful  words  of  several  school  companions,  a  thought 
came  to  her  with  the  force  of  a  conviction.  "These 
girls  should  reserve  their  congratulations  until  we  are 
old  women."  The  thought  lingered  and  made  sug- 
gestions. *  *  * 

Every  good  woman  of  social  and  intellectual  rank 
holds  a  life  friendship  and  interest  in  some  other 
woman  who,  through  misfortune  or  misjudgment, 
occupies  a  sphere  beneath  her  capabilities.  She 
may  have  been  a  schoolmate,  or  may  be  the 
daughter  of  a  neighbor ;  perhaps,  a  sister,  who  has 
been  stranded  upon  the  rocks  of  social  disaster,  and, 
whether  by  her  own  fault  or  by  that  of  others,  she 
wraps  around  her  the  mantle  of  consolation. 

The  teacher  of  her  earlier  years,  now  Helen 
Temple,  had  need  of,  and  received  Josephine's  sym- 
pathy and  cheer,  and,  as  in  childhood,  her  confidences. 
She  yet  called  her  Miss  Helen.  Helen  Temple's 
marriage  had  promised  affluence,  comfort  and  happi- 
ness. Her  young  husband  had  acquired  an  interest 
in  the  factory  where  he  had  been  long  employed,  but 
with  plenty  came  a  change.  A  habit  that  to  this 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  91 

time  had  received  occasional  gratification,  became  a 
daily  indulgence.  Absence  from  duty  and  careless 
supervision  exasperated  his  partners,  who  absorbed 
his  interest  but  gave  him  a  place  to  work.  His  skill 
diminishing,  lower  duties  were  assigned  to  him,  and 
now  the  thick  black  smoke  from  the  chimneys  of  the 
mill  that  might  have  been  his  settled  around  a  lowly 
cottage  by  its  side.  A  cultured  girl  had  taken  his 
hand  ;  he  had  led  her  to  its  door  and  put  the  chill  of 
its  poverty  around  her.  Her  love  for  Henry,  her 
boy  of  ten,  and  the  friendship  of  Josephine  Haldon 
were  all  the  higher  pleasures  that  life  gave  to  her. 
This  was  much  ;  but  much  was  denied. 

Soon  after  her  engagement  Josephine  went  to 
Helen  Temple  and  showed  her  the  glittering  ring 
upon  her  finger.  Helen  looked  at  her  in  silence. 

"  Miss  Helen,  are  there  no  pleasant  words  for  me, 
no  wishes  for  happiness  ?  Speak  to  me." 

"  Josephine,  this  brings  to  me  a  fear." 

"  I  will  not  forsake  you,  Miss  Helen.  I  will  see 
you  more  after  I — afterwards,  than  I  do  now." 

"  My  thought  is  not  for  myself,  Josephine,  not  for 
myself;  but  I  should  not  throw  gloom  upon  your 
life.  I  do  wish  you  happiness,  joy,  and  every  good 
thing  the  world  can  bring  to  you  ;  and  that  these 
may  be  with  you  to  the  end." 

"  To  the  end  !  "  Josephine  repeated.    "This  is  only 


92  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

the  beginning.     I  wish  that  I   might  look  upon  all 
to-day." 

"No,  Josephine,  do  not  ask  this.  If  we  could  see 
to  the  end,  many  would  take  the  life  God  gave  them. 
If  only  one  thing  was  removed  from  the  world  a  joy- 
ful ending  would  be  almost  assured,  and  the  best 
wish  that  one  woman  can  give  to  another  I  give  to 
you — may  your  husband  never  take  alcoholic  drinks." 

"  Miss  Helen,  I  know  the  value  of  that  wish,  and 
have  seen  the  ravages  made  in  a  mind  that  I  love." 

"Josephine,  you  have  seen  little  of  what  might 
be.  Your  father  is  not  what  he  would  have  been  in 
his  appreciation  of  elevated  thought  and  the  better 
aspirations  of  life,  but  his  impulses  are  those  of  a 
gentleman.  He  has  brought  upon  you  neither  pov- 
erty nor  shame  ;  only  heart-aches,  and  regrets  for  loss 
of  companionship.  If  you  wish  to  hear  the  story  of 
unmitigated  misery,  ask  the  educated  wife  of  some 
man  whom  drink  has  brutalized,  to  tell  it. 

"Ask  her  to  tell  you  how  sweet  flowers  of  anticipa- 
tion carpeted  her  steps  to  the  altar ;  how  she  took 
into  her  being  another  soul,  and  garnished  it  with 
beauties  from  her  own  ;  how  the  ecstatic  joys  of  wife- 
hood  expanded  her  heart,  and  furnished  within  it 
chambers  for  cherub  guests  ;  how  celestial  attendants 
came  to  the  mother's  couch  and  whispered  words  of 
love  and  hope,  and  gave  her  reverence  ;  as  their  God 
had  created  so  had  she  given  life  ;  revealed  to  her 


THE  JUNIOR   PARTNERS.  93 

the  joyful  unity  of  the  glorious  earthly  trinity  of  love — 
husband,  wife  and  child — and  showed  to  her  an  illum- 
inated pathway  through  a  world  of  pleasant  scenes 
to  their  home  above.  Then  ask  her  to  tell  you  why, 
when  only  a  short  journey  on  that  pathway,  her  foot- 
steps became  heavy  and  the  pleasant  scenery  was 
obscured  by  tears. 

"She  will  tell  you  that  her  husband  went  into 
by-paths  and  drank  from  noxious  pools  whose  waters 
degrade  ;  that  they  first  deprived  her  of  his  encour- 
agement, then  of  his  sympathy  ;  next  of  his  considera- 
tion for  her  mental  needs  and  physical  necessities  ; 
further  on  came  upbraidings  and .  false  accusations  ; 
he  pierced  her  heart  with  contempt,  threw  all  of  his 
burdens  upon  her  shoulders,  and  goaded  her  to  unac- 
customed tasks  ;  turned  aside  to  the  thickets  of  immo- 
rality and  wrapped  her  womanhood  in  shame  ;  struck 
her  with  the  hand  that  should  protect ;  took  their 
earnings  and  threw  them  into  the  stony  fields  of 
poverty ;  lay  down  by  the  wayside  in  drunkenness, 
and  brought  upon  her  and  her  child  the  ridicule  of 
decency." 

Josephine  Haldon  held  in  her  arms  a  form  that 
trembled  with  the  emotions  of  despair.  There  was 
nothing  to  soothe  but  silence.  Helen  Temple  hid 
away  her  sight  from  the  things  around  her  amid  the 
enfolding  love  which  softened  the  anguish  caused  by 
reality  and  the  thought  of  what  should  have  been. 


94  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

What  should  have  been  !  As  the  famished  traveler 
on  the  desert,  she  saw  fields  of  pleasure  and  limpid 
streams  of  happiness.  To  Josephine,  the  mists  of 
romance  were  rising,  and  the  world  of  fact  was  spread- 
ing out  before  her  with  all  its  ghastly  possibilities. 

"  Mother,  you  said  when  I  got  a  place  you  wouldn't 
be  sorry  any  more ;  now  I've  got  it  and  am  caring 
for  you,  what  makes  you  cry  so?  Miss  Josephine, 
what  have  you  said  to  her  ?  You  musn't  say  any- 
thing. It's  bad  enough  now,  and  we  want  to  be 
happy  again." 

The  time  had  passed  unnoticed  and  the  boy  had 
come  in  unobserved. 

"  Henry,  Miss  Josephine  cheers  us  and  never 
brings  sorrow." 

"  Then  why  do  you  feel  so  badly  when  she  is  here  ? 
I  always  feel  better  when  she  talks  to  me,  and  I'd  be 
just  happy  now  if  you  wasn't  so  sorrowful.  Mr. 
Montford,  that's  Mr.  Leslie's  father — that's  where  I 
work,  Miss  Josephine — told  me  to-day  that  I  was  an 
extraordinary — ex-tra-or-di-nary,  yes  that's  it — good 
boy,  just  because  I  asked  him  if  there  wasn't  some- 
thing else  I  could  do  for  him,  when  I'd  just  got  back 
from  an  errand.  That  wasn't  so  very  much,  was  it, 
mother  ?  'cause  I  thought  you  wouldn't  like  it  if  I 
should  go  and  earn  money,  and  didn't  keep  busy  ;  but 
I  think  he  likes  me  anyway,  'cause  if  he  didn't  he'd 
just  have  said  yes  or  no.  And  he  talks  to  me  about 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  95 

the  business,  and  tells  me  how  to  do  my  part  the  same 
as  he  does  with  the  men  in  the  office." 

"You  are  a  good  boy.  He  likes  you  and  wishes 
you  to  learn,"  said  Josephine. 

"  And  Mr.  Leslie,  he  helps  me,  too,  and  says  if  I  do 
right,  and  learn  everything  I  can,  some  time  I  will  get 
a  place  where  I  will  get  a  big  lot  of  money,  and  I 
hope  I  can,  'cause  then  mother  can  have  nice  things, 
and  we  will  be  happy,  won't  we,  mother  ?" 

Mother  could  not  reply  and  the  boy  chattered  on. 

"  And  then  I  can  have  nice  things  like  Mr.  Leslie 
does,  nice  horses  to  drive  and  go  out  riding  with.  I 
saw  you  riding  with  him  last  week,  Miss  Josephine. 
He  don't  have  to  take  his  mother  out,  'cause  Mr. 
Montford  rides  out  with  her  every  afternoon,  when 
it  don't  rain  ;  and  Mr.  Leslie  can  take  you  as  well  as 
not.  I'd  take  mother,  'cause — 'cause —  He's  got  nice 
guns,  too,  and  goes  hunting.  He,  and  Mr.  Horton, 
and  Mr.  Ray  ton,  went  down  to  Kankakee  once,  and 
they  brought  home  such  a  lot  of  ducks — Mallard 
ducks  they  said  they  was  ;  the  best  kind ;  and  they  said 
Mr.  Leslie  shot  the  most.  I  don't  believe  I'll  ever 
learn  to  go  hunting,  'cause  I'll  have  to  work  and  won't 
have  time,  but  I  guess  I  can  go  a-fishing  sometimes, 
'cause  I  learned  that  down  at  Aunt  Martha's  last 
summer ;  she  lives  in  Aurora.  Mr.  Leslie's  going 
fishing  up  in  Wisconsin  pretty  soon.  He's  got  such 
nice  fish  poles  with  little  wheels  on  them ;  them's 


96  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

reels  ;  and  they  pull  the  fish  in  by  winding  them  up. 
I  should  think  it  would  be  easier  just  to  lift  them  out 
with  the  pole  and  throw  the  fish  over  behind  you ; 
that's  the  way  I  did.  I  caught  ten  in  just  a  little 
while.  Maybe  they  get  bigger  ones.  You  won't 
go  out  riding  with  him  next  week,  Miss  Josephine, 
'cause  he's  going  to  be  gone  ten  days  ;  I  heard  him 
tell  Mr.  Montford  so  to-day — and  there's  several 
gentlemen  going,  and  they  are  going  to  camp.  What's 
that,  Miss  Josephine?" 

"That  means,  they  will  take  a  tent  and  put  it  in 
a  grove  near  some  stream  or  lake,  and  eat  and  sleep 
in  that ;  not  at  a  hotel." 

"That's  nice,  and  they're  going  to  camp,  and  now 
I  know  they're  going  to  eat  in  the  tent,  'cause  Mr. 
Leslie  had  such  a  lot  of  things  sent  to  the  store, 
most  all  of  it  in  cans  ;  some  wasn't.  He  had  a  funny- 
looking  basket ;  I  thought  it  was  to  bring  fish  home 
in.  It  was  a  willow  basket,  and  had  such  funny 
colors  and  stripes  all  around  it,  and  on  the  cover  it 
said  'Cli-quot.'  The  porter  was  packing  everything 
in  a  big  box,  and  I  asked  him  what  Cli-quot  meant, 
and  he  said  it  was  sham-pain.  Ain't  that  funny  ?  I 
guess  the  porter  was  joking  me  ;  but  I  can't  see  what 
it  was  about.  Why,  Miss  Josephine,  what's  the 
matter  ?  You're  just  as  white " 

Set  lines  as  of  approaching  age  crept  around  her 
mouth  and  about  her  eyes,  her  arm  went  out  from 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  97 

its  side  and  put  the  hand  upon  the  air,  and  the  fingers 
wandered  in  helpless  tremors,  seeking  support. 

Helen  Temple  stood  before  her.  The  tears  were 
gone  and  the  anguish  stilled. 

"Josephine!  Josephine  Haldon !  Arouse  yourself 
and  think,  and  hear  me  tell  you  that  if  he  is  thus, 
never  go  through  your  life  with  him.  Better  to  tear 
the  love  from  your  heart  and  give  it  to  the  flowers 
that  poison  and  the  weeds  that  flourish  ;  to  take  his 
picture  from  among  your  treasures  and  put  in  its 
place  that  of  a  coiling  serpent ;  to  turn  your  face  away 
from  the  world  and  all  of  its  beauties,  build  you  a 
hut  in  a  churchyard  and  commune  with  the  dead, 
than  to  be  in  the  arms  of  one  whose  soul  is  dying, 
day  by  day." 


CHAPTER  VII. 


Integrity  is  a  trusty  foil 

That  wards  the  thrusts  of  unseen  blades. 

ELESTINE  Fc'- 
som  reclined  on  the 
crimson  lounge, 
fully  dressed  to  en- 
tertain expected 
company.  She  had 
received  a  note 
from  John  Haldon, 
saying  that  he 
would  call  upon  her 
early  in  the  evening 
with  information  regarding  her  mortgages.  She  had 
spent  much  of  the  afternoon  in  the  arrangement  of 
her  toilet,  and  during  the  remaining  time  she  was 
turning  the  leaves  of  different  books  lying  upon  the 
table,  and  transcribing  couplets,  quotations  of  rounded 
period  and  bright  sayings,  from  them  to  neat  slips  of 
paper.  After  she  had  gathered  a  sufficient  quantity, 
she  wrote  on  other  slips  ,  transposing  the  authors' 
words  into  language  and  constructions  of  her  own, 
and  contemplated  them. 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  99 

Her  dress  was  the  color  of  Australian  gold,  and 
had  the  appearance  of  being  embossed  with  golden 
vines,  leaves,  and  flowers  of  other  shades.  It  was 
cut  high  around  her  neck,  and  close  over  her  shoulders, 
bust,  and  long,  shapely  waist.  The  skirt,  which 
opened  to  the  feet,  showed  a  petticoat  beneath,  em- 
bellished by  an  artistic  hand  with  autumn  leaves, 
rare  blendings  of  their  more  modest  tints.  Within 
the  open  sleeves  was  the  same  effect  in  spangles  of 
autumn  ferns  and  grasses,  on  dainty  lace  clasped  to 
the  wrist  by  slender  golden  lizards  with  eyes  of  gar- 
net. Garnet  eyes  were  in  the  golden  dove  that  held 
the  laces  at  her  throat,  and  its  mate  was  among  the 
waves  of  fine  brown  hair  that  rippled  back  from  her 
forehead  and  splashed  about  her  ears  and  neck.  At 
her  left  side,  an  embroidered  sachet  of  censer  shape 
was  suspended  by  a  silken  rope  looped  about  her 
waist,  and  as  she  stood  before  the  pier  glass  and 
slowly  swung  it  sidewise,  back  and  forth,  the  reflected 
eyes  and  smile  approved  the  perfection  of  form,  pose, 
and  drapery. 

As  Haldon  entered  the  room  he  was  aware  of 
another  sensation  that  requires  a  philosopher's  aid  to 
analyze.  The  things  that  before  obtruded,  had 
retired,  and  he  looked  only  upon  the  tinted  beauty  of 
face  and  drapery  before  him.  He  knew  that  Celes- 
tine  would  sit  upon  one  end  of  the  crimson  lounge 
and  rest  her  arm  upon  its  scroll  ;  she  did  push  the 


100  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

easy  chair  with  cushioned  arms  before  it  for  his  use, 
and  seat  herself  opposite,  the  light  from  the  gas  jets 
over  his  shoulder  falling  full  upon  her.  With  a 
startling  impression  that  the  scene  had  somewhere 
presented  itself  to  him  before,  he  looked  upon  the 
blended  beauties,  then  to  the  wall  above,  as  if  to  see 
why  the  painting  had  dropped  from  its  place  and 
become  entangled  in  the  laces,  silks  and  furniture 
below. 

Holding  the  silken  rope  in  her  hand,  she  rolled  the 
censer  sachet  to  and  fro  across  her  lap,  and  with  the 
deep,  dark  eyes  that  saw  but  did  not  reveal,  she 
studied  the  effect  of  her  attractions  upon  Haldon. 
What  she  saw  was  quiet  admiration  only,  and  with  a 
tinge  of  impatience  she  mentioned  the  mortgages. 

"You  were  so  long  getting  information,  Mr. 
Haldon !  I  was  almost  in  despair  that  I  should  never 
see  you  again.  I  almost  expected  that  you  would 
come  a  few  evenings  after  your  first  visit  and  let  me 
know  what  you  had  done.  I  looked  for  you  so 
often." 

"  I  had  not  thought,  Miss  Folsom,  that  this  was 
necessary  until  something  of  a  satisfactory  nature 
was  ascertained." 

"Mr.  Haldon,  men  always  look  upon  the  business 
side  of  everything : 

'  Dollars  and  cents  get  into  their  minds, 
And  the  dollars  never  get  out.' 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTIS  EES.  101 

Could  you  not  have  thought  that  I  would  be  pleased 
to  talk  with  you,  even  upon  other  subjects,  or 
rather  listen  to  you?  Your  visit  was  an  oasis  in 
the  desert  of  my  loneliness,  and  I  am  impatient  with 
you,  because, 

'  Deprived  of  its  verdure  of  mind, 
The  landscape  is  solemn  and  drear.' 

I  know  that  none  other  can  feel  the  comfort  and  hap- 
piness that  even  a  short  visit,  from  one  that  is 
appreciated,  will  give  to  a  woman  who  is  deprived  of 
congenial  company." 

"  Miss  Folsom,  I  did  not  presume  to  think  that  I 
was  of  any  interest  to  you  whatever,  except  to  aid 
you  in  your  affairs." 

"  My  father  used  to  call  me  Celestine,  and  I  don't 
think  it  would  be  any  harm  for  you  to  call  me  Miss 
Celestine,  at  least. 

'  Words  we  are  used  to  hear 
Are  grateful  to  the  ear, 
And  soothe  and  captivate.' 

I  believe  that  I  am  entitled  to  all  the  pleasure  words 
can  give  me,  especially  when  they  harm  no  one." 

"  Miss  Celestine,  I  certainly  would  not  deprive 
you  of  that  pleasure.  I  have  always  thought  of  you 
as  Celestine,  since  as  a  school  girl  I  met  you  on  the 
train.  It  is  a  beautiful  name." 

"  Now,  Mr.  Haldon,  if  you  think  it  so  beautiful 
how  can  you  bear  to  spoil  it  by  putting  on  a  Miss  ?  I 


102  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

would  like  it,  and  you,  all  the  better  if  you  said,  just 
'Celestine.'" 

Haldon  hesitated,  felt  an  inability  to  make  a  suita- 
ble reply,  and  opened  the  letter  from  his  friend 
referring  to  the  mortgages. 

Celestine  changed  her  position  to  one  of  half 
reclining,  and  adjusted  herself  to  listen  to  its  import. 
It  said  that  foreclosure  was  the  only  course  to  pursue 
in  the  interest  of  the  mortgagee  ;  several  worthy 
families  would  be  oppressed ,  but  such  things  were  not 
usually  considered.  Celestine  interrupted,  and  said, 
"The  money  means  my  very  existence;  they  cannot 
be  reduced  to  that."  Haldon  discussed  this  feature 
of  the  case  quite  at  length  and  with  the  usual  business 
conclusions.  The  friend  advised  that  the  papers  be  sent 
to  a  young  lawyer,  a  personal  friend,  for  whose  relia- 
bility he  would  vouch  ;  and  that  immediate  action  be 
taken  thereon. 

"  O,  Mr.  Haldon  !  that  means  a  year.  What  will 
I  do  ?  If  I  only  knew  somebody  who  would  advance 
me  enough  to  meet  my  expenses." 

Her  smile  was  driven  away  by  distress. 

Good  men  may  get  themselves  into  more  trouble 
through  generosity  than  bad  men  do  through  knavery, 
and  John  Haldon  opened  the  door  to  his  by  saying: 

"  Celestine,  I  can  relieve  your  anxiety.  You  may 
assign  them  to  me  and  I  will  advance  to  your  needs  as 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  103 

occasion  requires.  Upon  their  payment  you  can 
remunerate  me," 

Celestine  rose  to  her  feet ;  placed  her  hand  on  his 
as  it  lay  on  the  cushioned  arm  of  the  chair ;  and,  as 
once  before,  the  form  and  drapery  seemed  about  to 
enfold  him  ;  the  confiding  smile  had  lost  its  frank- 
ness and  flashed  in  bewildering  suggestions,  but 
innocence  was  still  in  the  soft  brown  eyes.  She  gently- 
raised  his  hand,  and  stooping  placed  a  kiss  upon  it. 

Beyond  the  limits  of  computation  is  the  value 
of  a  pure  woman  to  her  family.  To  the  imagina- 
tion of  John  Haldon  there  came  the  presence  of 
his  daughter  Josephine,  bearing  the  record  of  a 
life  of  correct  action  and  self-control.  In  contrast 
lay  spread  beside  it  a  memory  of  Celestine^ 
methods,  the  impressions  from  which  were  now 
crystallizing  into  a  knowledge  of  character  still 
dimly  defined,  but  obtruding  its  darker  lines.  As 
he  turned  his  face  away  from  her  his  sight  fell  upon 
the  pier  glass,  and  there,  far  back  in  its  mirrored 
depths,  the  pictured  tableau,  of  which  he  was  a  pas- 
sive figure,  reflected  shame. 

He  took  Celestine's  hand  in  his  and  led  her  to  her 
seat  on  the  lounge ;  walked  away  from  her  and  away 
from  the  pier  glass;  down  the  room  towards  the 
entrance  door  ;  turned,  and  while  walking,  talked  of 
her  mortgages  ;  of  the  details  relating  to  their  col- 
lection ;  of  her  probable  needs  in  the  meantime ;  of 


104  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

her  musical  studies  and  their  requirements ;  and  hur- 
riedly accorded  the  usual  courtesies  preceding  a 
departure.  He  forgot  about  the  certificate  of  stock 
in  the  "  Silver  Star "  mine,  and  Celestine  did  not 
mention  it 

As  he  went  out  and  down  the  street  a  full  moon 
threw  its  light  upon  the  side  on  which  he  walked. 
In  the  shadows  of  the  other  side  the  Professor  was 
going  towards  his  rooms.  He  had  seen  Haldon 
come  from  the  house  opposite ;  stopped  and  looked 
at  him  as  he  walked  away,  then  turned  and  walked 
on.  As  he  placed  his  foot  on  the  first  one  of  the 
steps  leading  to  the  sidewalk,  he  again  looked  down 
the  street  at  Haldon  ;  presently  went  up  the  steps  to 
the  landing,  turned  about  and  looked  at  the  shaded 
light  in  the  second  story  opposite,  then  down  the 
street ;  again  upon  the  light,  and  again  upon  the 
street ;  swung  his  bunch  of  keys  reflectively,  opened 
the  night  latch  and  passed  in. 

Early  the  next  day  he  sought  Lowman,  and  eagerly 
related  to  him  the  incident  of  the  night  before.  Low- 
man listened  to  him,  but  soon,  with  a  gesture  of 
impatience,  interrupted : 

"Now  look  here,  Professor,  what's  that  got  to  do 
with  you  or  what  you  want  ?  As  I  understand  it, 
all  you're  after  is  to  find  him,  or  his  friends — it  don't 
make  any  matter  which — when  they  are  full  and 
ready  for  anything,  and  get  into  play  with  'em,  and 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  1Q5 

of  course  pick  up  whatever  you  can  get ;  or  if  you 
can  get  'em  into  any  side  speculations  that  will  pay, 
that's  all  right,  but  you  want  to  keep  in  with  'em  as 
a  gentleman  should,  and  not  go  to  doing  things  that 
will  get  'em  disgusted  with  you  and  make  'em  think 
you're  a  flat.  They'll  throw  you  right  overboard. 
You  go  to  getting  your  fingers  into  their  private 
affairs,  they'll  have  nothing  more  to  do  with  you  ; 
besides,  you  might  get  hurt.  Now,  it  ain't  a-going 
to  be  a  great  while  before  he'll  be  in  shape  so  you 
can  handle  him,  and  when  he  does,  you  want  to  get 
out  with  him;  and  sometimes,  if  you  can,  when  there's 
none  of  them  country  people  along,  but  just  him  and 
one  or  two  of  the  city  crowd.  He's  drinking  a  lot 
of  stuff  now  that'll  get  him  in  good  shape  for  any- 
thing, mighty  quick.  I  guess  he's  been  around  some 
doctor.  If  they'd  come  to  me  and  pay  me  according 
to  the  value  of  the  advice  I'd  give,  'twould  make  me 
rich  and  I'd  retire  from  the  whisky  business." 

"  Well,  '  Dr.  Lowman,'  what  should  you  advise 
that  would  be  so  valuable  ?  "  asked  the  Professor. 

"  Drink  water." 

"  That  would  spoil  your  trade." 

"  What  would  I  care  if  I  had  all  the  money  that 
advice  is  worth?  and  besides,  I'd  like  to  see  the  world 
once  when  half  of  it  wasn't  crazy  drunk,  and  see  how 
'twould  seem." 

"  What  I  cannot  understand,"  said  the  Professor, 


JOG  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

"  is  why  such  men  as  he,  who  have  will  and  deter- 
mination to  do  anything  they  set  out  to,  never  just 
say,  Stop !  and  make  an  end  of  it" 

"  Professor,  that's  where  you're  in  the  same  haze 
that  most  folks  get  into.  I've  noticed,  when  a  man 
quits  for  good,  it's  generally  the  weakest  ones  that 
give  in  to  what  somebody  else  wants  'em  to  do.  You 
don't  seem  to  understand  that  whisky  changes  a  man 
all  around,  and  that  if  he's  got  a  strong  will  he'll  be 
only  the  more  determined  to  get  what  he  wants,  and 
all  his  will  goes  to  getting  whisky,  instead  of  getting 
rid  of  it.  Some  folks  think  whisky  destroys  a  man's 
will,  but  that's  all  nonsense.  It  just  destroys  his 
sense,  and  his  will  goes  swimming  in  whisky ;  but 
this  kind  of  speculating  ain't  going  to  pay  us.  You 
come  around  here  evenings,  regular,  and  something 
will  turn  up  pretty  soon  to  your  advantage.  I've  got 
to  go  to  work  and  can't  talk  any  more,  but  you  do 
just  as  I  say  and  things  will  be  all  right." 

The  Professor  went  away  feeling  like  a  silent  part- 
ner in  a  fishing  interest  equipped  with  only  one  line, 
but  he  still  had  ideas  of  his  own  as  to  how  the 
business  should  be  conducted. 

If  a  man  eats,  he  satisfies  his  hunger;  when  he  is 
sick  and  takes  medicine  that  improves  his  condition , 
he  has  no  thought  of  unlimited  doses  ;  but  when  he 
drinks  alcohol,  in  any  of  its  many  forms,  he  desires 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  107 

a  repetition.  To  this,  as  in  the  case  of  all  rules  of 
general  application  there  is  one  exception.  That 
physical  organism  which  is  entirely  free  from  any 
inherited  alcoholic  taint  will  repel  the  repetition 
of  a  toxic  poison  with  nausea,  and  can  only  accept 
its  repeated  ingestion  in  weak  dilutions  made 
grateful  by  sweets,  acids  or  flavors.  In  all  other 
cases,  under  all  circumstances,  and  with  all  men,  the 
rule  governs  with  omnipotent  inflexibility.  In  the 
beginner,  this  is  a  tendency ;  in  the  moderate  and 
occasional  drinker,  a  positive  inclination  ;  and  in  the 
daily  imbiber,  an  overwhelming  desire,  that  regards 
not  health  nor  intellect,  neighbor  nor  society,  friends 
nor  family.  The  man  lives  not  who  can  truthfully 
claim  exemption  from  this  rule,  either  in  the  begin- 
ning, the  continuance,  or  the  degraded  climax. 

John  Haldon  was  nearing  the  end.  As  the 
regimen  advised  by  Dr.  Mallows  was  too  weak  to 
satisfy  the  ever-increasing  desire  for  more,  his  allow- 
ance of  wine  decreased  and  of  brandy  increased. 
"  Brandy,"  the  bar-keeper  said,  "is  a  good  drink,  but 
a  man  should  not  take  it  regular  ;  it's  too  heating.  I 
find  for  myself,  that  nothing  fills  the  bill  so  well  as 
good  old  whisky,"  and  to  any  mind  clouded  with 
the  fumes  of  either,  a  bar-keeper's  advice  is  as  good 
as  a  doctor's,  and  sometimes  better,  for  the  bar-keeper, 
not  the  proprietor,  has  been  known  to  advise  a 
trembling  customer  to  "let  it  entirely  alone." 


108  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

Haldon  gradually  fell  back  into  his  former  habits 
with  a  noticeable  increase  of  indulgence.     His  hours 
were  again  too  short  for  his  business  requirements, 
and  Celestine's  affairs  had  become  a  task  to  him.    As 
he  had  proffered  advice  and  assistance  unsolicited,  he 
felt  an  obligation  to  continue  his  care  for  her  interests 
until  the  time  that  she  might  realize  from  her  effects. 
Correspondence  with  the   young   lawyer,  in  whose 
hands  her  mortgages  had  been  placed,  made  frequent 
conferences  with  her  a  necessity,  and  he  had  spent 
several  evenings  in  her  parlor.     He  had  always  found 
her  attired  with  the  same  care  as  at  first,  and  always 
with  the  same  tendency  to  lead  the  conversation  away 
from    the   consideration  of  business.     He  was    not 
displeased  with  her  solicitude  for  his  comfort,  or  with 
her  efforts  to  please  him,  but  often  thought,  after 
leaving,  that  he  would  have  a  higher  regard  for  her  if 
she  was  not  so  confiding  or  so  thankful  for  his  interest 
in  her  welfare.      Her  gratitude  for  his  company  and 
subtle  praise  of  his  intellectual  and  personal  qualities, 
flattered  the  vanity   that  is  ingrained  in  all  men,  and 
caused  him   to  patronize  while  he  did  not  approve, 
and   he    sometimes    found  himself  in    her  company 
because  it  would  please  her. 

Some  months  after  Lowman's  last  lesson  to  the 
Professor,  upon  a  pleasant  moonlight  evening,  a  bar- 
keeper noticed  that  a  party  in  one  of  the  private 
rooms  of  "  Lowman  and  Stone's  Place"  was  unusually 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  109 

hilarious,  and  went  to  the  office  and  held  a  short  con- 
ference with  Lowman.  What  he  said  was  received 
with  evident  satisfaction.  Lowman  wrote  a  note 
and  rang  for  a  messenger,  giving  him  an  extra  coin 
to  encourage  unusual  speed.  With  evidence  of  haste 
the  Professor  soon  appeared  and  asked  Lowman  the 
reasons  for  a  summons  which  had  interrupted  the 
enjoyment  of  his  dinner.  Lowman  calmly  answered  : 
"  Professor,  you  never  mind  your  dinner.  You'll 
get  enough  to  eat  before  the  night  is  out.  Haldon 
and  two  of  his  city  friends  are  in  one  of  the  rooms  and 
having  a  big  time.  Bar-keeper  heard  'em  say  they'd 
been  to  the  '  Tremont '  and  give  some  of  their  western 
customers  a  big  dinner  and  a  good  send-off  for  home, 
and  they  left  on  the  six  o'clock  express.  You  see 
they've  got  started  and  haven't  got  enough,  and  come 
around  here  to  wind  up.  Three  ain't  a  full  party  for 
them  people,  they  always  like  four,  and  I  want  you  to 
get  in  before  some  other  friend  of  theirs  comes  along. 
That's  what  the  hurry  is  about.  Now,  Professor, 
you've  got  to  drink  some  to-night ;  that  excuse  of 
yours  won't  always  go  down.  While  you're  here,  bar- 
keeper will  fix  it  all  right  so  your  drinks  are  light, 
and  if  you  go  anywhere  else  you  will  have  to  look 
out  for  yourself — spill  part  of  it,  or  something.  I'll 
tell  you,  take  gin,  and  you  can  drink  the  water  instead 
of  the  gin  and  they  won't  notice  it  I'll  go  in  and  fix 
things,  so  that  you  can  get  in  with  'em  without  they're 


HO  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

thinking  anything's  done  a  purpose."  In  a  short  time 
Ware  was  one  of  a  party  of  whom  the  rest  were  gen- 
tlemen, and  they  supposed  that  he  was. 

If  any  one  should  here  be  impressed  with  a  sus- 
picion that  this  is  a  manufactured  situation,  and  that 
the  writer  has  drawn  upon  his  imagination  for  mate- 
rial, let  him  interview  any  honest  gentleman  who  is  an 
habitual  drinker  at  bars  and  he  will  say  that  its  dupli- 
cate, in  multiples,  can  be  found  in  any  city,  village, 
or  settlement,  where  liquor  is  sold  over  the  bar. 

Ware  brought  a  clear  brain  in  contact  with  those  of 
a  higher  order,  but  injured  by  the  blows  of  the  brain's 
worst  enemy.  He  was  in  a  condition  to  observe  and 
profit  thereby  ;  in  a  position  to  direct  movements, 
and  they,  in  a  state  that  consents  to  environment.  He 
noted  the  characteristic  action  of  each  one  and 
studied  to  adjust  himself  in  proper  equilibrium.  Hal- 
don  was  frank,  genial,  and  inclined  to  intellectual 
exuberance.  The  Drygoods-man  was  nervous  and 
hasty  in  speech.  The  Clothing-man  was  jolly,  robust 
in  laughter;  and  in  action,  inclined  to  imprudence. 
Were  they  sober,  Ware  was  out  of  his  class  ;  as  they 
were,  they  could  not  be  classified. 

I  n  the  course  of  a  game  of  cards,  Ware  suggested 
an  increased  value  of  counters  and  limit.  The 
Clothing-man  urged  it,  laughed  immoderately,  and 
called  for  a  bottle  of  champagne  when  he  reaped  the 
first  benefit.  The  Drycroocls-man  said  that  he  did 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

not  want  champagne;  the  "usual  thing"  was  good 
enough.  The  "  usual  thing"  was  agreed  upon,  and 
the  bar-keeper  brought  it  to  them  on  a  silver  tray, 
passed  it  first  to  Ware,  indicating  with  his  thumb 
which  glass  he  should  take,  then  served  the  others. 
The  game  passed  on  with  play  that  would  have 
alarmed  their  sober  judgment,  but  which  was  now 
unnoticed. 

From  time  to  time  Lowman  was  called  upon  for 
cash  on  bank  checks,  and  the  time  between  the  call 
for  drinks  grew  shorter.  Presently  the  Drygoods- 
man  said : 

"  I  do  not  know  who  is  winning,  but  do  know  that 
I  am  losing  all  the  time,  and  I  propose  that  we  take 
a  ride  and  play  afterwards,  if  we  wish  to." 

To  this  proposal  Ware  gave  an  eager  assent  and 
requested  that  their  ride  might  include  a  visit  to  the 
various  places  of  immoral  entertainment,  giving  as  a 
reason  for  this  desire,  that  he  had  never  obtained  a 
full  view  of  the  darker  side  of  Chicago,  and  cour- 
teously added,  "  I  would  be  pleased  to  do  so  in  the 
company  of  respectable  gentlemen." 

Upon  their  order  for  a  carriage,  Lowman  said  that 
he  had  sent  a  messenger  for  Tom.  Tom  was  a  hack- 
man  who  knew  every  business,  professional  and 
official  man  in  the  city,  but  who,  should  you  ask  him 
if  he  took  Judge  Portly  home  from  court  that  after- 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

noon  would  say:  "Judge  Portly?     Don't  believe  I 
know  him ;  what  sort  of  a  looking  man  is  he  ?  " 

Tom  stood  by  the  door  of  the  carriage,  and  as  he 
closed  it  upon  the  party  he  said  to  the  Clothing-man, 
"As  usual?"  The  Clothing-man  nodded  and  he 

drove  them  away.  #       * 

# 

A  magnificent  suite  of  rooms  with  tapestry  carpets 
and  gorgeous  furnishings  ;  paintings  from  the  brush 
of  genius,  and  sculpture  from  the  chisel  of  inspira- 
tion ;  over  all,  a  soft  incandescent  light ;  quiet,  almost 
noiseless,  except  one  sound — the  music  of  ivory 
counters ;  a  music  that  enchants  the  banker,  who 
empties  his  vaults  to  hear  its  siren  notes  ;  that  soothes 
the  merchant,  who  gives  his  capital  for  its  melody  ; 
that  entices  the  working-man,  who  gives  the  sus- 
tenance of  his  family  for  its  fascinations ;  and  side  by 
side  they  sit  around  its  sounding-board  and  help  to 
swell  its  volume.  Alcohol  in  a  profusion  of  forms 
upon  the  mahogany  side-board  in  an  alcove  shuts 
from  the  ear  its  jarring  notes  or  opens  to  its  harmony. 
Those  who  tarry  long  are  dragged  away  by  the  hand 
of  penury  and  the  music  sounds  for  other  ears.  They 
are  in  the  home  of  that  Lorelei  of  fortune — Faro. 

They  did  not  come  to  hear  her  music,  but  to  see 
her  abode.  They  partook  of  her  solace  and  drove 
away — drove  through  the  bright  moonlight,  up  State 
street,  to  the  place  of  deeper  sinfulness. 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  113 

Red  lights,  shining  above  street  doors,  send  forth 
a  glaring  welcome.  Wine  guided  the  women  within 
to  these  portals,  and  now  drowns  the  anguish  of  re- 
morse and  unavailing  repentance.  We  cannot  enter. 

Long  rows  of  saloons ;  painted  faces  and  gaudy 
dresses  flitting  in  and  out,  that  sometimes  stop  and 
talk  to  unsteady  forms,  with  mingled  ribaldry  and 
curses,  and  then  hail  the  party  of  respectability  with 
loathsome  words.  Strains  of  music  from  a  basement, 
a  huge  cave,  under-ground.  A  gaudy  stage  opposite 
the  entrance  ;  elevated  stalls  with  cloth  curtains  cov- 
ered with  lace,  along  the  sides  ;  narrow  tables  flanked 
by  heavy  chairs  cover  the  room  from  door  to  stage  ; 
a  bar  near  the  entrance ;  one  on  the  right  side  under 
the  stalls ;  one  on  the  left  side ;  in  the  den  behind 
the  stage,  another.  For  these  a  license  is  nailed  to 
the  wall,  signed  by  men  who  pray  to  God  to  keep 
their  own  sons  away  from  temptation  and  their  own 
daughters  from  evil. 

Thick  clouds  of  smoke  from  a  thousand  cigars  and 
cigarettes  rise  to  the  ceiling  and  are  drawn  out 
through  the  long  narrow  sidewalk  windows  in  heavy 
curving  streams.  The  floor  is  damp  from  dribblings 
of  beer,  wine  and  whisky,  and  a  hundred  gas  jets 
light  the  scene.  The  usher  is  affable  to  the  party  of 
respectability  and  makes  a  place  for  convenient  obser- 
vation and  enjoyment  Other  parties  of  respectability 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

are  grouped  about  other  tables,  and  their  nods  are 
answered  by  recognition,  half  ashamed. 

The  room  is  densely  filled  with  men ;  the  young 
man,  he  of  the  cigarette ;  the  middle  aged  and  the 
gray  haired.  To  the  enticements  of  drink  are  added 
the  blandishments  of  women ;  the  more  attractive 
attend  the  more  respectable,  and  with  smiles  and 
familiarities  they  persuade  to  excess.  A  part  of  the 
profit  from  the  sale  (of  wine,  beer  and  whisky  is 
theirs. 

A  scene  opens  on  the  stage.  Attractive  forms  with 
suggestive  tongues  flit  back  and  forth  in  dance  and 
dialogue.  Men  shout  and  clap  their  hands  to  honor 
stars  of  indelicate  accomplishments,  who  afterwards 
come  to  the  stalls,  in  paint  and  tinsel,  to  extend 
acquaintance. 

The  Clothing-man  said,  "  Let's  go  behind  the 
scenes." 

The  Dry-goods  man  was  willing,  but  said,  "  They 
are  a  contemptible  lot,  who  ought  to  be  drowned." 
Haldon  and  Ware  followed. 

Fathers,  hold  fast  to  your  sons ;  and  mothers,  put 
your  arms  around  your  daughters  to  keep  them  from 
such  as  this.  He  of  the  cigarette  was  there,  and  she  of 
the  indelicate  accomplishments,  with  the  flush  of  youth 
still  upon  their  faces,  and  around  them  both  was  the 
aroma  of  the  wine  glass.  A  father's  watchfulness 
had  not  availed  to  keep  the  son  from  the  line  of  bars 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  115 

that  he  had  helped  to  erect  on  every  street ;  a  mother 
had  allowed  her  daughter  to  cheer  his  visits  with 
wine,  and  they  were  here — here,  where  the  goodness 
of  women  is  not  and  the  decency  of  men  never 
comes.  Immodesty  walks  with  ribaldry  and  shame 
sits  by  the  side  of  drunkenness. 

These  are  called  Concert  Rooms  and  Varieties. 
Satan  is  astonished  when  a  new  license  is  nailed  to 
the  wall. 

The  air  was  heavy  with  rank  perfume  and  the  odor 
of  liquors.  Haldon  went  into  the  audience  room, 
rested  his  arm  upon  the  corner  of  the  bar  and  looked 
upon  the  stage. 

The  illusions  of  alcohol  had  entered  his  brain  and 
bewildered  his  sight.  The  stage  seemed  afar  off, 
the  glittering  entrance  to  a  funnel,  and  about  it  dwarf 
figures  made  motions  in  the  air.  Where  the  audience 
was,  he  saw  dead  men,  and  the  smoke  above  them 
was  the  blackness  of  a  pall.  The  usher  called  his 
friends,  who  tried  to  arouse  him,  but  he  was  oblivious 
to  their  efforts.  He  did  not  reel  and  they  were 
astonished  that  he  did  not  know  them. 

The  Drygoods-man  said,  "We must  get  him  right 
home,"  but  the  Clothing-man  said,  "  Any  other  place 
but  that.  Never  take  a  man  home  when  he  is  that 
way."  Ware  proposed  to  take  him  in  a  carriage  to 
"  Mrs.  Sharkey's,"  and  procure  him  a  room.  The 
others  consented  to  this,  and  the  party  separated, 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

leaving  unvisited  other  and  lower  places  of  sinfulness 
which  abound  and  are  nurtured  by  the  same  thing 
that  had  conquered  Haldon's  manhood. 

Arriving  at  "  Mrs.  Sharkey's,"  Haldon  was  assisted 
up  the  steps,  and  into  the  hall  upon  the  settee  near 
the  door.  He  walked  steadily,  without  speaking  or 
manifesting  a  desire  to  control  his  direction,  and  Tom 
said,  "  This  is  one  of  them  drunks  that  go  to  a  man's 
head  but  don't  down  him.  Lots  of  men  that  way. 
No  young  fellows." 

Ware  rapped  on  Mrs.  Sharkey's  door,  then  shouted ; 
finally  it  was  opened,  just  a  little,  and  that  lady's 
voice  came  out  in  unamiable  tones  : 

"  What  are  ye  doin',  wakin'  me  up  this  time  av 
night,  I  want  to  know  ?" 

"  Mrs.  Sharkey,  I  have  a  friend  here  who  wants  a 
room.  He  has  been  drinking  too  much." 

"  It's  not  keepin'  a  transient  I  am,  and  ye  know  it 
well,  Mr.  Ware.  If  ye've  brought  a  drunken  man 
wid  ye,  take  him  to  your  own  room  and  sleep  wid 
him." 

She  had  opened  the  door  a  trifle  farther  to  give 
emphasis  to  her  decision,  and  the  form  on  the  settee 
was  in  full  view. 

"  As  I'm  a  live  woman,  it's  Mister  Haldon!  Wait 
till  I  dress  mesilf." 

The  snap  of  a  match,  the  rustle  of  clothes,  the 
stamp  of  a  foot  to  adjust  a  shoe,  the  rattle  of  a  ha^r 


CE1ESTINE   ANTICIPATES  A  VICTORY. 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  117 

brush  thrown  on  the  marble  top  of  a  dresser  ;  and 
Mrs.  Sharkey  appeared  in  the  hall  with  a  shawl  on 
her  arm. 

"  I  have  no  empty  rooms,  but  there  is  one  across 
the  street.  Can  he  walk,  is  it?" 

"  He  can  walk  well  enough,  Mrs.  Sharkey." 
"Go  across  wid  me,  Mr.  Ware,  and  I'll  see  him 
well  treated.     Dear!  dear  !     Sich  a  good  man." 
"  Do  you  know  him,  Mrs.  Sharkey  ?" 
"  No,  I  don't  know  him.     Everybuddy  knows  him. 
Why  shud  I  be  knowin'  him  specially  ?" 

They  reached  the  hall  of  the  house  opposite  and 
Mrs.  Sharkey  politely  remarked,  "  Mister  Ware,  it's 
not  wantin'  any  more  help  I'll  be,  and  I  am  obliged 
to  ye  for  comin'  wid  me  across  the  street.  I'll  see 
Mister  Haldon  gets  a  comfortable  place  to  sleep. 
Good  night,  Mister  Ware ;  I'm  obliged  to  ye." 

A  strange  perfume  wafted  into  his  face  by  puffs  of 
soft  air ;  an  opening  of  the  eyes  which  upon  a  first 
awakening  see  nothing  around  them  but  dwell  upon 
their  latest  vision  ;  then,  closing  in  a  half  somnolence, 
mingle  the  past  with  the  present ;  and  Haldon  looked 
down  the  long  funnel  of  the  concert-room  over  the 
dead  men,  and  under  the  pall.  Upon  the  stage,  sur- 
rounded by  stream^  of  light  and  filling  its  tiny  space, 
sat  Celestine  Folsom  dressed  in  white ;  in  snowy 
laces  and  clinging  silk  ;  with  sparkling  diamonds  and 


118  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

ornaments  of  gold.  The  waving  of  her  feather  fan 
disturbed  the  pall  above,  and  it  parted  in  inky  folds 
that  covered  the  men  below.  The  stage  with  its 
enchanting  vision  and  its  streamers  of  light,  passed 
over  and  drew  near  to  him.  He  saw  the  limpid 
beauty  of  her  soft  brown  eyes  ;  the  enticing  flashes 
of  her  confiding  smile  ;  the  fine  brown  hair  in  ripples 
and  splashes  over  her  beautiful  head  and  among  the 
laces  around  her  neck.  The  form  bent  forward  and 
the  drapery  touched  him.  The  midday  sun  flashed 
his  rays  around  the  edges  of  the  drawn  curtains  and 
lighted  the  reality  by  his  side,  waving  the  feather  fan 
to  cool  his  face. 

He  looked  from  her  to  the  back  of  the  crimson 
lounge  on  which  he  lay ;  to  the  strange  figures  on 
the  sleeve  of  his  dressing-gown  ;  to  the  embroidered 
quilt  of  many  designs  spread  over  him  ;  to  the  cur- 
tains waving  in  sidewise  undulations  before  the  arch, 
and  to  the  pier  glass. 

His  brain  searched  for  memory  of  the  time  between 
the  concert-room  and  the  awakening  on  the  lounge, 
but  it  was  gone,  and  he  turned  to  her  for  aid  : 

"Celestine,  why  am  I  here?" 

The  question  came  as  a  messenger  of  reproach  and 
shame,  and  drove  the  smile  from  her  face. 

"They  said  you  asked  to  come." 

"They  said!"  and  through  his  weakened  brain 
flashed  thoughts  of  consequences ;  low  whispers  in 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  119 

the  air,  bearing  his  name ;  glances  of  sorrow  and 
reproach  ;  words  of  scorn,  and  movements  of  con- 
tempt. 

"Why  did  you  not  turn  me  away?" 

"Would  that  repay  you  for  all  your  kindness  to 
me?  Would  it  repay  your  interest  and  advice  in 
things  that  I  could  not  comprehend?  Would  it 
repay  you  for  all  the  pleasant  hours  you  gave  to  me 
when  no  one  else  could  cheer?  Nothing  that  I  could 
do  would  give  what  you  deserve." 

The  smile  returned. 

Haldon  arose  from  the  lounge  and  removed  the 
dressing-gown ;  put  on  his  own  coat  and  overcoat, 
which  Celestine  brought  from  the  dressing-room,  and 
stood  by  the  easy  chair. 

Sometimes,  when  a  soul  has  gone  far  down  into 
depths  of  degradation  and  finds  itself  upon  the  edge 
of  deeper  pits,  it  rises  out  of  the  blackness  and  for  a 
time  hovers  above  in  the  radiance  of  purity. 

Haldon  looked  at  the  beautiful  girl  who  now  sat 
upon  the  crimson  lounge,  and  giving  no  thought  to  - 
his  own  imperiled  reputation,  said  to  her : 

"  Celestine,  a  woman's  life  is  either  of  heaven  or 
of  hell.  As  men  are,  she  is  not.  Their  existence 
lies  between.  They  can  partake  of  her  heavenly 
goodness  and  be  refreshed  ;  they  can  sip  with  her 
the  cup  of  sinfulness  and  not  be  overcome  ;  they  have 
not  the  strength  to  scale  her  heights,  nor  the  help- 


120  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

lessness  to  remain  in  her  depths.  Men  sustain  her 
who  stands  above ;  they  trample  upon  her  who  goes 
below,  and  there  is  no  help  for  her.  Away  from  the 
gates  of  paradise,  opened  by  repentance,  they  push 
her  to  the  desert  of  despair.  You  have  come  among 
men.  Go  back  above,  and  when  one  climbs  towards 
you  with  shortening  steps  but  unflinching  eye,  put 
out  your  hand  and  help  him  to  your  side.  Touch 
not  the  hand  of  him  who  leads  below." 

They  went  to  the  door.  She  laid  her  hand  on  his 
as  he  touched  the  knob,  put  her  arm  around  him,  and 
said,  "  You  have  made  me  love  you.  Come  to  me 
again." 

He  looked  into  the  soft  brown  eyes  and  innocence 
was  not  there.  He  went  away,  and,  without  sin, 
John  Haldon  felt  himself  covered  with  shame  as  an 
enveloping  wave. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


What  is  a  life?    A  rushlight  dim ; 
Its  death,  a  darkness  where  it  shone. 


HE  next  morning  Hal- 
don  received  a  letter 
from  Tucson.  His 
impulse,  at  first,  was 
to  send  it  to  Celes- 
tine  unopened,  with 
a  note  of  explana- 
tion and  a  request 
to  be  relieved  from 
further  interest  in 
her  behalf;  but  he 
thought  of  his  prof- 
fered assistance  and  could  not  clearly  see  his  way  to 
a  retreat. 

He  opened  the  letter,  which  read  : 
"  MR.  JOHN  HALDON,  Chicago. 

"Dear  Sir — Answering  your  enquiry  regarding 
value,  etc.,  of  'Silver  Star'  stock,  I  regret  to  say  that 
it  is  worthless,  and  trust  that  you  are  not  as  yet 
financially  interested  in  it.  The  'Silver  Star'  is  one 
of  a  numerous  class  in  this  territory  that  require  an 


122  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

expenditure  of  one  dollar  and  fifty  cents  in  labor  to 
realize  one  dollar  in  coin.  Specimens  of  rock  can  be 
found  that  will  assay  good  value,  but  as  a  whole,  far 
working  purposes,  it  is  not  remunerative, 

"  This  information  I  received  from  an  expert  min- 
ing superintendent,  who  was  at  one  time  offered  a 
considerable  sum  of  money  by  the  Secretary,  Bentley 
Ware,  for  his  affidavit  that  ore  in  sight  would  give 
an  assay  value  of  one  hundred  dollars  per  ton ;  this  to 
aid  in  floating  the  stock.  The  whole  outfit  was 
Bentley  Ware ;  the  other  officers,  figure-heads  for 
small  pay.  Ware  placed  the  stock  here  and  there  by 
the  help  of  misrepresentation,  and  was  obliged  to 
leave  this  section  to  avoid  the  homicidal  tendencies 
of  several  citizens.  He  is  undoutedly  a  man  to  be 
avoided  in  any  and  every  relation  of  life. 
"Very  truly  yours, 

"H.   M.  SHERMAN,  Att'y." 

"A  boon  companion  of  a  rascal,  and  an  associate 
and  adviser  of  an  adventuress !  "  With  this  thought 
Haldon  looked  about  the  office,  feeling  himself  an 
object  of  general  notice. 

Again  his  mind  dwelt  upon  consequences  which 
included  his  family,  himself,  and  his  business ;  and 
he  thought  of  Josephine.  His  hand  trembled;  .he 
delayed  his  correspondence,  went  to  "  Lowman  and 
Stone's  Place,"  and  took  deep  draughts  of  brandy  ; 
with  steadied  nerves  returned  and  resumed  the  duties 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  123 

of  the  day.  A  whirl  of  disgraceful  possibilities  went 
through  his  brain ;  again  his  nerves  relaxed  their 
tension ;  again  the  brandy,  and  often  repeated  during 
the  day. 

In  the  evening  he  felt  morose  and  ugly,  and  went 
to  "  Lowman  and  Stone's  Place "  for  something  to 
overcome  that.  The  Professor  came  in  and  saluted 
him  pleasantly,  even  affably.  Haldon  forgot  the  pub- 
licity of  the  place  in  which  they  were ;  forgot  his 
station  as  a  gentleman,  and  went  back  to  the  impulses 
of  his  barbarous  Saxon  ancestry.  "  You  are  a  dog ! 
Mr.  Ware,  don't  speak  to  me." 

The  Professor  looked  upon  a  powerful  man  in 
anger,  with  discretion  overcome  by  stimulant.  He 
looked  at  the  broad  chest,  the  clenched  hands  and 
flaming  eyes,  and  receded  from  him  two  steps  back- 
wards ;  although  Haldon  did  not  advance,  he  held  a 
hand  before  him  and  took  other  steps  back. 

"You  are  a  cowardly  one;  a  sneaking  one,  who 
creeps  into  the  company  of  gentlemen  and  licks  their 
hands ;  a  contemptible  one,  that  they  should  not 
strike,  but  kick  out  of  their  path." 

The  Professor  moved  farther  away. 

Lowman,  who  heard  the  loud,  positive  voice  from 
his  office,  came  out,  spoke  to  Haldon  and  led  him 
aside. 

"  Mr.  Haldon,  you're  attracting  attention.  A 
business  man  like  you  does  n't  want  that.  A  little  mis- 


124  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

understanding  between  friends  shouldn't  be  anybody 
else's  affair  ;  besides,  it  does  n't  do  my  *  Place '  any 
good.  You  have  known  me  a  long  time,  and  you 
know  I'll  always  do  anything  for  your  interest.  I 
look  upon  you  as  a  friend.  Now,  don't  think  of  this 
any  further,  not  to-night.  You'll  meet  again  when 
you're  feeling  better  and  things  will  be  all  right" 

"  Never,  Mr.  Lowman." 

"  Well,  well,  let  it  go  now.  Come  into  one  of  the 
rooms  and  take  something  with  me,  and  tell  me  what 
it's  all  about." 

As  they  passed  into  the  room  Lowman  sprang  the 
latch  upon  the  door.  The  Professor  went  out  upon 
the  street.  The  drink  was  brought  on  Lowman's 
order,  and  he  sat  patiently  awaiting  the  explanation. 

Haldon,  when  entering  the  room,  had  intended  to 
tell  Lowman  the  manner  of  man  whom  he  had  intro- 
duced into  his  society,  but  when  he  had  drunk,  his 
anger  was  cooled,  and  he  held  the  empty  glass  in  his 
hand  ;  looked  down  into  its  frosted  bottom,  and 
thought.  This  is  a  part  of  what  he  thought  : 

"Is  this  I,  John  Haldon?" 

He  looked  at  his  empty  hand  ;  within  'the  palm 
and  on  the  back;  then  looked  across  the  table  at 
Lowman  as  if  to  enquire  ;  then  looked  again  into  the 
depths  of  the  glass. 

'  This  must  be  another.  How  did  I,  John  Hal- 
don, get  into  this  body,  this  being  ?  John  Haldon 


THE  JUNIOR   PARTNERS. 


125 


was  good  ;  this  is  bad  ;  he  was  a  gentleman  ;  this,  a 
brawler,  a  disturber  of  quiet ;  he  associated  with  men 


IS  THIS  I,  JOHN    HALDON?" 


of  character  and  women  of  incorruptible  virtue  ;  this 
visits  iniquity  and  walks  about  with  rascality." 

He  looked  again  at  Lowman;  stared  at  him  as  if 
he  were  not  seen  ;  filled  his  glass  and  rested  his 
cheek  on  the  open  hand,  his  elbow  on  the  table ; 
looked  at  the  full  glass  clasped  by  the  other  hand, 
and  thought  again  : 


126  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

"No,  this  is  not  I,  John  Haldon.  This,  goes  to 
his  home  and  to  his  bed,  and  those  around  him  say, 
Good  night ;  he  went  to  his  home  and  the  arms  of 
a  wife  came  around  him,  and  children  were  in  his  lap 
and  about  him  the  evening  through  ;  went  with  him 
to  the  chamber  door  ;  kissed  and  caressed  and  wished 
for  the  morning  light  to  be  with  him  again.  This,  goes 
to  his  work  and  it  absorbs  his  thought,  except  he  feels 
a  thirst ;  he,  saw  the  smiles  of  wife  and  heard  the 
prattle  and  laughter  of  children,  mingled  with  papers, 
books,  and  merchandise,  in  all  the  happy  day." 

He  drank  the  liquor  in  the  glass ;  rilled  it  and 
drank  again ;  still  he  held  the  glass  in  his  hand  and 
looked  in  its  frosted  bottom. 

"John  Haldon  looked  upon  his  fellow  men  with 
even  eye,  on  equal  altitude ;  this,  no,  this  is  not 
John  Haldon,  this  is  the  other.  This  one  has 
seen  corrupting  sights  and  tarried  in  vulgar  places ; 
looks  upwards  when  he  meets  his  fellows,  as  if  he 
were  below  them,  or  downward,  as  if  ashamed  that 
they  might  know  him  as  he  is  ;  he  saw  women  as  the 
angel  forms  of  earth — saw  their  purity  of  soul ;  this 
sees  their  sins  and  thinks  upon  their  frailties." 

He  put  his  forehead  upon  the  empty  hand,  and  for 
long  moments  all  was  still,  except  the  jingling  glasses 
at  the  bar. 

"  He  was  a  man,  and  this !" 

He  raised  the  hand  that   clasped   the  glass   and 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  127 

struck  it  down  upon  the  table.  Slivers  of  glass  flew 
about  the  room  and  awakened  Lowman  from  the 
nodding  sleep  into  which  he  had  fallen.  He  looked 
at  Haldon  and  saw  only  glaring  eyes,  set  teeth,  and 
clenching  hands.  He  rose  as  Haldon  did,  and  as 
Ware  had  shrunk  away  from  him  in  the  bar-room,  so 
did  he  now,  from  the  eyes  and  hands. 

"Mr.  Haldon,  what  ails  you?  You  look  like 
another  man." 

"  I  am  ;  there  are  two  of  us." 

He  went  from  the  room,  by  the  bar,  and  out  at 
the  door.  Lowman  looked  after  him  and  said  to  a 
bar-keeper  : 

"  He  acts  like  he  was  crazy." 

Later,  the  Professor  returned  and  Lowman  lost  no 
time  in  asking  -questions  or  ascertaining  wherefores, 
but  opened  as  one  possessing  full  knowledge. 

"Mr.  Ware,  you  seem  to  lose  sight  of  the  fact  that 
this  is  a  business  that  we're  engaged  in,  and  not  a 
racket,  nor  anything  we're  doing  for  fun,  and  you've 
let  your  end  slump.  You've  already  carried  it  a  great 
deal  further  than  you  know  how  to,  and  I'm  thinking 
it's  time  for  me  to  quit  you." 

"Mr.  Lowman,  I  am  not  aware  that  I  have  made 
any  mistake.  Everything  was  all  right,  so  far  as  1 
know,  up  to  this  evening.  What  could  have  caused 
the  trouble  with  him  I  cannot  imagine." 

"  That's  just  what's  the  matter,   Mr.  Ware ;  you 


128  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

can't  imagine.  You  don't  want  to  imagine.  You 
ought  to  have  studied  the  ground  ahead  of  you  so 
you  wouldn't  need  to  imagine,  but  you'd  know  enough 
to  act,  and  that  in  such  a  way  that  nothing  would 
come  up  such  as  happened  here  to-night.  Your 
cake's  dough  in  that  direction  now.  You'll  never 
get  in  range  again.  When  a  man  like  him  talks  as  he 
did  to  you  to-night,  you  Ye  more  liable  to  get  hurt  if 
you  come  around  where  he  is  than  to  get  looked  at." 
"  I'll  get  even  with  him  yet." 
"  You'll  get  even  !  If  you  drew  a  gun  on  him  and 
he  just  looked  at  you,  'twould  scare  you  so  you'd  drop 
it  on  the  floor  ;  and  as  for  hurting  him  any  other  way 
— well,  Professor,  let's  talk  about  something  else." 

"  Lowman,  I  know  something  about  him  that  will 
1  fetch  him,'  as  you  say." 

"  Yes,  you  do.  Now,  Professor,  let  me  give  you 
just  a  short  advice  ;  I'm  listening  to  what  you  mean. 
You  keep  away  from  him — way  away.  Study  up 
something  else  and  see  if  you  can't  handle  it  better 
next  time,  I've  lived  in  a  big  city  a  good  while  and 
I've  seen  about  all  there's  to  be  seen  in  this  world, 
and  I  want  to  tell  you  that  I  have  never  seen  a  man 
get  his  fingers  into  somebody  else's  private  affairs 
but  what  got  'em  slashed,  sooner  or  later.  He's  a 
straight  man  and  won't  stand  but  a  mighty  little  of 
your  nonsense." 

"Well,     Lowman,    I    want   to   tell  you  that  the 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  129 

straighter  a  man  is,  the  more  advantage  you  have 
over  him,  if  you  know  of  something  that  is  usually 
concealed  from  friends  and  family." 

"  Professor,  you  may  think  you're  on  the  right  track, 
but  I  want  you  to  know  that  everything  ends  right 
here,  between  us,  and  what  you  do  now  is  your  own 
business.  There's  nothing  in  it.  When  I  play,  it's 
for  a  sure  thing,  or  I  don't  play." 

Notwithstanding  the   reasonable   advice,    a  week 
later  Haldon  received  this  letter : 
"  MR.  JOHN  HALDON  : 

"  Dear  Sir — You  have  seen  fit  to  insult  me  in  a 
public  place,  and  because  you  are  a  man  of  standing 
in  this  city,  those  who  were  around  us  believe  me  to 
be  in  the  wrong  in  some  way. 

They,  as  well  as  myself,  are  at  a  loss  to  know  the 
reason  why  you  should  have  said  what  you  did. 
Should  you  in  any  manner,  by  further  association 
with  me,  or  by  your  own  words,  remove  the  impres- 
sion that  you  have  made,  I  will  overlook  it ;  otherwise, 
I  shall  adopt  my  own  course  for  reparation.  I  shall 
be  pleased  to  hear  from,  or  to  meet  you  in  conference, 
at  your  very  earliest  convenience.  Yours,  etc. 

BENTLEY  WARE." 

Haldon's  first  emotion  upon  reading  this  letter  was 
one  of  contempt  for  the  writer's  dependence  upon 
another  to  give  him  a  manly  standing  with  those 


130  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

about  him  ;  and  the  next,  of  anger,  that  a  man  of 
Ware's  character,  which  he  now  comprehended, 
should  presume  to  ask  companionship  with  him.  He 
threw  the  letter  aside  ;  took  it  up  and  read  it  again : 
"  Otherwise,  I  shall  adopt  my  own  course."  "  They 
said ; "  and  Celestine's  apology  sent  flushes  of  blood 
to  his  head  in  painful  volumes,  which  receded,  leaving 
him  faint  and  haggard. 

Sweet  is  the  approval  of  our  fellow  men.  All  the 
joys  of  life  are  interwoven  in  its  woof  and  warp,  and 
without  its  shielding  mantle  the  chills  of  solitude 
penetrate  the  soul.  To  be  tolerated  ;  this  is  agony. 
To  be  avoided  ;  this  is  purgatory.  To  be  condemned  ! 
My  God !  and  awful  thoughts  flashed  through  Hal- 
don's  mind.  Again  he  felt  himself  the  "  other  man." 

Strange  thoughts  of  vengeance  came,  and  murder- 
ous impulse  grappled  with  an  absent  foe.  Demons 
whispered  in  his  ear  to  kill,  that  it  would  be  pleasure  ; 
to  trample,  that  it  would  be  joy ;  to  mutilate,  that  it 
would  be  delight ;  to  destroy,  that  it  would  be  ecstasy. 
All  mankind  had  gone  except  his  enemy,  and  him,  he 
would  annihilate.  Where  are  the  weapons  and  where 
the  grave? 

A  hand  upon  his  shoulder  and  one  upon  his  cheek. 
Haldon  came  back  to  himself  and  saw  his  daughter 
Josephine  looking  into  his  face. 

"  Father,  go  home  with  me.  This  is  almost  your 
usual  time,  and  you  are  not  well.  Dark  hollows  are 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  131 

about  your  eyes.  You  need  rest,  and  perhaps  a 
physician." 

"  Nothing  serious,  Josephine.  A  little  overwork, 
and  some  annoyances.  I  am  unused  to  them." 

"  Father,  I  wanted  you  with  me  this  evening.  I 
too,  am  troubled,  about  you,  and  about  myself.  I 
wish  to  talk  with  you  about  Leslie,  and  I  want  your 
best  thoughts  to  aid  me.  This  is  why  I  called  for  you. 
I  did  not  see  you  this  morning." 

"  Josephine,  I  am  unfitted  for  that,  to-night ; 
besides,  I  have  something  that  demands  my  attention, 
and  will  give  this  evening  to  that,  and  reserve  for  you, 
to-morrow's.  I  will  wait  on  you  to  the  carriage,  as  I 
need  all  the  time  of  the  day  and  evening  to  finish 
what  I  have  to  do/' 

Haldon  looked  after  the  carriage  as  it  went  down 
the  street  towards  his  home,  and  a  strange  impression 
came  upon  him  that  it  had  started  upon  a  long 
journey.  He  watched  it  until  it  passed  over  the 
bridge,  then  went  back  to  his  desk  and  took  the 
papers  and  letters  relating  to  Celestine's  affairs  to  the 
office  of  Judge  Heron,  his  attorney,  and  gave  him, 
in  detail,  an  account  of  his  interest  and  effort  in  her 
behalf,  and  requested  him  to  complete  the  work  that 
he  had  begun,  without  expense  to  her.  This  done, 
he  went  directly  to  "  Lowman  and  Stone's  Place," 
asked  for  the  exclusive  use  of  a  private  room,  and 


132  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

requested  Lowman  to  tell  Mr.  Ware  that  he  wished 
his  company  during  the  evening. 

The  room  assigned  to  him  was  closed  to  the  ceil- 
ing, and  no  noise  of  glasses,  or  the  talk  of  men,  could  be 
heard  from  the  bar-room.  He  put  his  hat  upon  a 
narrow  shelf  placed  across  the  angle  of  a  corner  and 
lay  down  upon  the  leather  sofa  opposite. 

Four  leather-covered  chairs  were  placed  along  one 
end  and  upon  the  side  opposite  the  door ;  in  the 
centre  of  the  room,  a  heavy  mahogany  table,  broad 
and  round,  with  a  single  support  like  a  newel-post  set 
firmly  into  the  floor ;  a  chandelier  above,  with  four 
gas  jets ;  glass  pendants  played  with  the  light  and 
tossed  it,  each  to  the  others  in  colored  flashes ;  and 
porcelain  bells,  suspended  from  the  ceiling,  swung  to 
and  fro  in  voiceless  rhythms.  He  closed  his  eyes 
against  the  scene. 

Geometric  figures  rimmed  with  light,  and  swelling 
spots  of  frightful  colors,  moved  around  amid  the 
darkness.  Great  flames  of  light  shot  into  awful 
space.  The  frightened  eyelids  drew  apart  and  his 
sight  fell  upon  a  peopled  room.  In  the  chairs,  grim 
forms  in  rioting,  swinging  about  their  heads  long 
burning  cups  in  flames  of  red  and  blue  ;  bending  over 
the  table  were  hideous  women,  with  bony  arms,  writ- 
ing on  scrolls  with  blood ;  around  the  floor,  pale 
children  dressed  in  red,  with  tearful  faces,  whirling 
their  bodies  round  in  gleeful  dance,  while  from  the 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  133 

lights  above  lithe  dwarfs  threw  balls  of  fire,  with 
nauseous  odors,  upon  the  forms  below.  The  bells 
above  them  tolled  in  mournful  tones.  In  the  corner 
stood  himself  with  his  hat  upon  his  head,  looking 
about  in  unconcern.  He  arose  and  went  among 
them.  All  were  gone.  The  chairs,  the  table  and 
the  hat  were  there,  and  he,  in  trembling  form. 

He  went  to  the  bar  and  took  deep  drinks  of  quiet, 
and  his  nerves  obeyed  ;  then  returned  to  the  room 
and  waited,  looked  about  to  see  if  other  forms  were 
there,  and  longed  for  company,  even  were  it  a  fiend, 
and  anxiously  awaited  Ware's  appearance.  When 
he  did  arrive,  he  greeted  him  almost  cordially,  and 
then  went  to  himself  and  to  his  hatred  for  the  man. 

"  Mr.  Haldon,  this  is  an  unexpected  pleasure  that 
you  receive  me  pleasantly,  especially  after  the  ter- 
rible scoring  you  gave  me  the  other  night.  I  thought 
at  the  time  that  you  were  not  feeling  well,  and  that 
it  was  simply  an  outburst — a  safety  valve,  as  it  were — 
and  must  congratulate  myself  that  I  kept  under  con- 
trol, and  did  not  retaliate  rashly  and  do  something- 
that  I  should  now  regret." 

"  Mr.  Ware,  do  you  know  the  'Silver  Star'  mine? 
What  are  your  relations  to  it?" 

The  question  did  not  bring  discomfiture,  as  Haldon 
had  expected,  but  retaliation. 

"  Mr.  Haldon,  are  you  acquainted  with  any  one  on 
Wabash  avenue,  and  what  are  your  relations  there?" 


/ 
THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

Haldon  thought,  "He  is  convinced  of  wrong ; 
others  will  be.  Oh,  Josephine !  you  must  never 
know." 

Ware  perceived  an  advantage  and  followed  it. 

"  We  men  all  have  speculations,  financial  and  other- 
wise^ If  I  can  buy  a  piece  of  rock  for  a  dollar  and 
sell  it  for  a  million,  how  do  I  differ  from  a  man  who 
buys  merchandise  and  sells  it  for  ten  per  cent  profit? 
I  get  all  that  I  can,  and  so  does  he." 

"He  does  it  honestly,  Mr.  Ware,  and  without  mis- 
representations. His  neighbors  respect  him  and  do 
not  drive  him  out  of  the  community  with  guns  and 
ropes." 

"  Perhaps  they  would,  Mr.  Haldon,  did  they  know 
of  his  life  outside  of  business  hours." 

Again  the  retort,  and  again  was  Haldon  aware  of 
the  presence  of  the  "  other  man,"  and  he  was  in 
anger. 

"  This  talk  does  n't  pay,  Mr.  Haldon.  Men  are  all 
alike  when  you  get  to  the  bottom  of  things,  and  so 
are  women." 

Men  have  been  killed  for  saying  less  than  that,  and 
the  "  other  man  "  whispered  to  Haldon,  "  Kill  him." 

Ware  changed  his  seat,  went  around  the  table  and 
near  the  door.  The  eyes  before  him  began  to  pene- 
trate. 

"  Mr.  Ware,  you  are  not  insulted.  You  have  not 
felt  insulted.  Tell  me  the  full  meaning- of  your  letter. 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  135 

As  you  say,  this  talk  does  not  pay,  and  I  ask  you  to 
lay  aside  all  fear  of  me  and  tell  me  precisely  what  you 
think.  You  need  not  fear  consequences." 

"  Of  course  you  know,  Mr.  Haldon,  that  I  could 
make  things  very  uncomfortable  for  you  if  I  should  tell 
some  things  in  some  places,  and  you  have  given  me 
the  provocation  to  do  so,  but  if  it  can  be  arranged  to 
make  me  even  again,  I  am  not  disposed  to  make  you 
any  trouble " 

"Well?" 

"  I  feel  that  I  am  just  as  good  as  anybody,  and  if 
something  did  happen  away  out  in  that  western 
country,  where  every  man  tries  to  beat  the  other  man, 
it  does  not  affect  me  here.  I  have  come  here  to 
make  Chicago  my  home,  and,  of  course,  I  want  to  be 
in  as  good  standing  as  possible.  You  have  hurt  me 
and  you  should  go  out  of  your  way  to  make  me  even.'' 

"  And  if  I  refuse  you  will  try  to  get  revenge  ;  is 
that  your  intention  ?" 

"  I  could,  Mr.  Haldon,  if  I  was  not  satisfied  that 
you  would  do  the  fair  thing.  If  I  stay  in  Chicago  I 
wish  to  keep  in  good  society,  and  if  I  can  be  recog- 
nized by  you,  this  will  aid,  and  if  I  could  know  some 
gentlemen  and  ladies  of  your  acquaintance,  that 
would  help  more.  I  am  capable  of  sustaining  myself 
in  society,  even  as  good  as  that  which  your  daughter 
moves  in." 


136  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

"  Mr.  Ware,  I  am  obliged  to  go  down  the  street 
for  awhile.  Remain  here  until  I  come  back." 

Ware  supposed  that  he  wished  to  cancel  a  business 
engagement  for  his  benefit  and  gave  assent. 

Haldon  went  from  "  Lowman  and  Stone's  Place" 
to  one  of  its  kind  in  the  next  block.  He  looked  over 
the  bar  to  the  side-board  beyond ;  among  the  bottles, 
from  one  to  the  other,  as  if  to  make  a  choice.  He 
knew  their  contents  and  their  names ;  knew  their 
action  and  their  strength.  None  would  satisfy.  He 
wanted  something  filled  with  fire;  besides,  there  was 
not  enough.  He  wanted  lakes,  in  which  to  bathe  , 
an  ocean,  upon  whose  bottom  he  might  lie  and  drink 
the  world  above, 

"A  drink?  No.  It  is  nothing.  Give  me  a  bottle, 
and  a  room.  Give  me  whisky,  the  strongest.  It 
makes  one  ugly,  mean.  I  would  be  that,  and  venge- 
ful. What  do  I  care  for  a  city  full,  for  the  world  ; 
for  anybody,  for  '  what  they  say,'  for  anything?  The 
good  have  gone ;  they  are  not  good,  they  only  seem 
so.  The  bad  are  all  around,  and  they  should  die ; 
they  live,  and  must  be  killed.  This  is  a  small  bottle, 
very  small.  Bar-keeper,  bring  another.  *  *  * 

"  He  brought  himself  around  me  and  showed  me 
his  filthy  soul ;  says  that  I  am  foul  and  base ;  taunts 
me,  and  comes  to  me  with  threats.  To  me  !  He 
spoke  about  my  daughter ;  my  daughter,  Josephine. 
He  should  die  for  that  ;  should  die  if  he  had  ever 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  137 

thought  of  her ;  should  die  if  he  knew  that  I  had  a 
daughter;  must  die !  *  *  * 

"  Weapons  ?  what  need  have  I  for  weapons  ?  I'll 
pull  his  arms  from  out  their  sockets  and  swing  the 
bleeding  tendons  in  the  air.  I'll  put  my  hands  around 
his  neck ;  tear  it  from  his  body,  and  wash  me  in  the 
gushing  blood.  He  is  there,  dreaming  of  iniquity. 
This  is  the  time  and  this  the  opportunity." 

The  Professor  was  walking  the  few  paces  that  the 
room  allowed,  up  and  down  between  the  mahogany 
table  and  the  door.  "  Victory  already  assured  !  Aid 
and  influence  of  respectability!  Profit  and  position 
to  come  !  I  am  wise  and  skillful ;  Lowman,  a  fool, 
who  thinks  that  he  knows  everything." 

Haldon  came  and  met  a  serene  smile  as  he  who 
conquers  an  enemy.  He  laid  his  hat  upon  the  shelf, 
and  quickly  turning,  put  both  hands  about  the  Pro- 
fessor's neck  and  throat ;  bent  him  backward  across 
the  mahogany  table  and  laid  his  length  upon  him. 
The  Professor  saw  above  him  steel-blue  eyes  that 
blazed  with  fires  of  murder  ;  a  face  that  scowled  with 
unrelenting  vengeance,  and  gleaming  teeth  amid  the 
foam  ;  the  same  dread  aspect  that  the  brutal  Saxon 
took  with  him  upon  the  battle-field ;  and  the  same 
sinews  that  drove  the  battle-axe  through  shield  and 
skull  and  brain  he  felt  around  his  throat.  He  could 
make  no  outcry.  His  feet  hung  over  the  table's  rim 
and  struck  but  air.  The  feeble  blows  from  his  hand 


138  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

took  no  effect.  His  muscles  soon  relaxed,  and 
Haldon  sat  upon  him,  the  better  to  see  him  die.  The 
hands  around  his  neck  shifted  and  tightened  their 
grasp ;  the  bones  in  his  throat  snapped  and  pierced 
through  the  flesh  and  skin  ;  blood  oozed  out  and  ran 
between  the  fingers,  over  the  hands,  upon  the  table, 
and  splashed  upon  the  floor.  The  face  above  him 
smiled,  but  the  eyes  gleamed  with  murder  and  ven- 
geance. Flecks  of  foam  fell  into  the  blood,  and  the 
fingers  sank  deeper  into  the  flesh. 

Delirious  screams  went  from  the  room,  by  the  bar, 
and  out  upon  the  street,  bearing  in  their  tones  a  hor- 
rible disaster.  Men  ran  to  whence  they  came,  burst 
in  the  door,  recoiled  and  shrank  away.  Before  them 
stood  a  maniac,  bathing  his  hands  in  smoking  blood, 
and  on  the  mahogany  table  lay  the  Professor  with 
mangled  throat  and  glassy  eyes. 

Officers  were  called,  who  overpowered  Haldon  and 
took  him  away. 

Lowman  came  in  soon  after,  elbowed  his  way 
through  the  crowd  ;  stood  at  the  door  of  the  room, 
and  looked  at  the  white  face  of  the  Professor  up- 
turned to  the  gas  light ;  then  looked  back  over  the 
mass  of  people  surging  through  the  entrance,  filling 
the  wide  bar-room  to  its  utmost  corner,  and  whispered 
to  a  bar-keeper : 

"It's  the  biggest  advertisement  the  'Place'  ever  had." 

The  bar-keeper  said,  "  Immense!  " 


CHAPTER    IX. 


The  ship  sailed  off  the  rim  of  earth 
On  the  ocean  of  space  beyond. 

LUNACY  commission 
is  a  good  thing. 
The  two  physicians 
know  when  a  man 
does  not  act  ricrht, 

o 

and  the  Judge 
knows  where  to 
send  him.  The 
f am  ily  physician 
helps  to  break  the 
unity  of  cause  and 
effect. 

A  printed  form,  called  a  commitment,  with  ques- 
tions to  answer,  facts  and  conditions  to  assert,  and 
authority    to    receive   and    restrain,    is   completed, 
recorded  and  handed  to  the  proper  officer  for  exe-» 
cution.     At  this  stage  of  existence  its  greatest  value 
is  developed.     It  is  a  legal  transfer  of  the  man  to  those 
who  understand  their  business,  fully  and  minutely. 
The  second  day  after  the   tragedy   in  "Lowman 


140  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

and  Stone's  Place "  Haldon  was  brought  before  the 
court  on  the  question  of  sanity. 

Dr.  Mallows,  who  was  one  of  the  commissioners, 
said  that  he  was  astonished,  perfectly  astonished,  to 
find  Mr.  Haldon  in  this  state  of  mind.  He  had 
never  known  him  to  act  in  any  way  abnormally  ;  his 
business  affairs  he  knew  to  be  in  good  condition,  and 
his  family  relations  were  supremely  happy  ;  the  cause 
for  this  sudden  and  violent  attack  was  difficult  to 
ascertain. 

The  Judge  suggested  (the  examination  was  in 
chambers)  that  he  might  have  drunk  too  much,  but 
Dr.  Mallows  waved  the  idea  into  discredit  with  an 
outward  movement  of  his  hand,  and  said  that  no  one 
was  ever  known  to  become  insane  from  the  use  of 
liquor  ;  it  might  kill  a  man,  possibly,  if  he  drank  an 
inordinate  quantity  ;  might  develop  his  insanity  ;  but 
make  him  insane,  never.  The  action  of  alcohol  on 
the  brain  was  transient,  entirely  so ;  and  the  effect 
soon  passed  away  when  the  cause  was  removed  ;  but 
there  was  no  doubt  of  Haldon's  insanity,  none  what- 
ever, and  he  turned  to  the  blank  commitment  and 
began  to  write  upon  it. 

Judge  Heron,  who  was  present  in  Haldon's  interest, 
suggested  that  a  thorough  investigation  might  develop 
a  cause  for  his  condition,  and  that  for  the  benefit  of 
those  who  would  treat  his  case  at  the  Asylum — if  for 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  141 

no  other  reason — that  cause  should  be  found,  were  it 
possible. 

"  Those  physicians,"  said  Dr.  Mallows,  "  make  an 
especial  study  of  this  branch  of  our  science,  and  no 
doubt  pay  more  attention  to  the  demonstrations  than 
to  those  things  that  might  cause  insanity.  Over- 
work, a  sudden  passion  or  fright,  produce  acute 
mania  They  treat  the  mania.  The  cause  is 
removed  when  the  patient  is  put  under  restraint." 

The  commitment  was  made  out  in  legal  form, 
attested  by  the  Judge,  and  the  officer  took  Haldon 
and  went  with  him  to  his  new  home. 

In  the  general  conversation  that  followed  the  Judge 
expressed  an  opinion  that  liquor  was  the  cause  of  the 
whole  affair,  including  the  insanity,  and  said,  "  A  man 
of  Haldon's  brains  and  position  should  be  ashamed  of 
a  life  ending  in  this  condition." 

"At  just  what  point  in  his  life,"  said  Judge  Heron, 
"  would  you  have  this  shame  begin,  and  how  would 
you  have  it  develop  ? 

"  Let  us  find  the  truth. 

"  Should  he  be  ashamed  when  he  found  wine  upon 
his  father's  table,  and  drank  because  his  father  did  ? 
Should  he  be  ashamed  when,  at  a  society  gathering, 
the  fair  maidens  of  his  circle  filled  the  glasses  and 
drank  with  him,  while  their  mothers  smiled  approval  ? 
Should  he  be  ashamed  in  his  college  days,  when  with 
genial  companions  and  generous  wine,  he  filled  the 


142  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

occasional  evening  with  frolic  and  song  ?  Even 
then,  the  teachers  said,  '  Wine  is  good  for  the  stom- 
ach's sake  ;  but  avoid  excess.' 

"  Should  he  be  ashamed  when  his  employers  and 
their  rivals  encouraged  the  use  of  drink  to  obtain 
advantage  in  competition,  and  secure  pre-eminence 
in  trade  ?  Should  he  be  ashamed  when  his  partners 
and  friends  in  business  life  encouraged  him  and  them- 
selves in  its  use,  and  no  one  said,  '  Do  ye  not  so '  ? 
Should  he  be  ashamed  when  he  found  the  coils  of  the 
serpent  drawn  tightly  around  him,  and  he  would  give 
his  all  to  unwind  them,  but  could  not  ? 

"  No!     Were  he  reeling  along  the  walk,  or  lying 
upon  the  street  bespattered   with   filth,  the  shame 
would  not  be  his.     But  shame  there  is ;  deep,  damn- 
ing shame,  and  whose? 
"  Let  us  find  the  truth. 

"  The  shame  is  ours;  mine,  and  yours,  who  were 
not  born  with  the  taste  of  alcohol  upon  our  tongues, 
and  have  no  desire  for  drink.  We  know  the  right 
and  are  not  influenced  by  it.  We  know  that  the 
youth  should  never  taste.  Our  tongue  gives  no 
advice  and  our  pen  no  warning.  We  know  the 
danger  to  the  man,  and  put  out  no  hand  to  draw  him 
back,  but  by  vote  and  influence  we  build  him  gaudy 
tombs  by  every  wayside  where  he  can  go  and  die. 
The  widow  and  her  homeless  children  point  at  us, 
and  a  thousand  forms  with  scarlet  faces  and  unsteady 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  143 

steps  walk  about  the  streets  and  show  us  to  the 
people.  The  shame  is  not  his,  but  ours ;  mine  and 
yours." 

"Let  us  find  the  truth!"  was  not  a  thoughtless 
phrase  with  Judge  Heron.  The  expression  might 
be  called  a  habit,  but  the  impelling  force  was  an 
earnest  demand  for  the  broadest  comprehension  of 
fact  and  his  relation  to  it. 

At  one  time,  in  compliance  with  a  request  for  his 
opinion  relating  to  personal  liberty,  in  its  connection 
with  the  saloon  interest,  he  had  said : 

''Personal  liberty  is  an  adjustable  privilege  that 
is  sometimes  taken  from  the  individual  and  given  as 
a  compensation  to  those  whom  he  has  injured.  As 
an  independent  fact  it  has  no  existence,  but  always 
remains  an  integral  part  of  a  controlling  whole,  and 
will  be  exalted  or  restricted  as  the  interests  of  the 
whole  demand. 

"  The  '  Army  of  the  Saloon '  is  entrenched  upon 
its  last  battle-field.  It  has  no  slogan  for  right  or 
justice,  and  its  battle  cry  is  '  Personal  liberty/  which 
it  shouts  to  alarm  the  unthoughtful  and  bring 
recruits. 

"  I  tie  vies  upon  its  people  the  tax  of  unjust  profits 
and  gives  them  no  protection.  It  throws  its  dead 
over  the  ramparts  and  takes  no  care  of  its  wounded, 
but  pushes  them  within  the  lines  of  its  adversary. 
It  is  the  gigantic  injustice  of  the  age.  Compared 


144  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

with  its  rank  and  file,  the  tyrants  of  the  Dark  Ages 
were  angels  of  mercy  and  ministers  of  justice.  They 
did  not  kill  the  soul.  Reason  and  common  sense 
have  already  denied  these  personal  liberty.  Laws 
and  ordinances  have  already  built  fortifications  around 
them  and  will  soon  take  it  from  them. 

"  When  a  wrong  loudly  asserts  its  right  to  liberty 
of  action,  the  day  of  its  correction  is  near  at  hand. 

"What  of  the  saloon-keeper?  Has  he  no  rights? 
He  is  entitled  to  the  same  consideration  as  the  con- 
victed criminal  before  a  court ;  that  his  punishment 
shall  not  exceed  his  offense.  He  has  already  been 
condemned  by  enlightened  opinion,  and  only  awaits 
the  sentence  that  it  will  inflict" 


CHAPTER  X. 


In  that  strange  country 
Sounds  were  sights 
And  sights  weird — 
In  that  strange  country. 


HEN  Haldon  arrived 
at  the   Asylum   he 
came  before  Doctor 
Peters  for  examina- 
tion.    This  doctor 
was   one   of  a    class 
who  are    employed 
by    the  State  for   a 
specified    purpose  ; 
well  paid,  and  denied 
the  privilege  of  prac- 
tice outside  the  Asylum.    Having  an  assured  position, 
they  are  not  dependent  upon  popularity  for  advance- 
ment, nor  are  they  obliged  to  study  the  beliefs  and 
whims  of  those  whom  they  serve,  to  keep  their  pat- 
ronage.    A  man   who  is  brought  to   them  for  treat- 
ment or  restraint,  no  matter  what  his  rank  or  station, 
is  a  case  to  be  treated,  and  nothing  more.     They 

usually  tell  the  truth  and  act  accordingly. 

10 


146  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

Doctor  Peters  was  a  man  of  large  experience, 
sound  judgment  and  deep  enquiry.  He  glanced  at 
the  signatures  on  Haldon's  commitment,  noted  its 
.  legality,  and  dwelt  upon  the  reasons  for  its  execution, 
ft  said,  "  In  re  John  Haldon ;  an  insane  person. 
Age:  Forty-five.  Form  of  insanity :  Acute  mania. 
Cause:  Unknown.  Tendency:  Homicidal." 

Doctor  Peters  looked  from  the  commitment  to 
Haldon,  and  said,  "  Form  :  Monomania.  Cause  : 
Whisky.  Tendency  :  Delirium."  He  then  told  the 
attendant  to  put  him  in  a  room  with  a  latticed  door, 
and  watch  him  closely.  As  he  turned  away,  Haldon 
asked  pleadingly  : 

"  Doctor,  can  I  have  some  brandy  ?  I  have  had 
but  little  during  the  past  three  days." 

Doctor  Peters  answered,  "  Not  a  drop." 


JUDGE  HERON'S  NARRATIVE. 

Two  months  after  Haldon's  commitment,  I  received 
a  letter  from  Doctor  Peters,  asking  me  to  visit  him. 
He  said  that  Haldon  was  now  quiet,  except  at  inter- 
vals of  short  duration,  when  he  was  under  a  delusion* 

*In  differentiating  between  an  illusion,  a  hallucination,  and  a 
delusion,  as  these  terms  are  properly  accepted  by  alienists,  the  dia- 
gram opposite  may  serve  as  illustration  and  assist  the  layman  in 
remembering  the  definitions. 


JUDGE  HERON'S  NARRATIVE. 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  147 

that  his  head  was  filled  with  knives  or  other  weapons. 
He  believed  that  my  visit  would  be  a  benefit  to  him 
and  that  it  would  turn  his  thoughts  to  the  contem- 
plation of  realities.  ^  ^ 

# 

A  warm,  still  day  of  late  September.  The  thin 
smoke  of  an  Indian  summer  shrinking  away  to  the 
closer  companionship  of  distance,  dimmed  to  the 
sight  a  mass  of  foliage,  with  leaves  deftly  painted 
in  bright  colors  and  soft  tints  by  the  inspired  autumnal 
artist.  Beyond  are  towers  and  modern  archi- 
tecture in  giant  construction,  spreading  its  ornate 

a,  represents  the  brain ;   6,  the  peripheral  organ  of  sense ;  c,  the 
nerve  connecting  the  peripheral  organ  with  the  brain ; 
and  d,  an  external  object. 

First :  When  all  three  are  involved,  t.  «.  when  the 
brain  (a)  perceives — eay  through  the  peripheral  sense 
organ   (6)  the  eye — an  external  object  (d)  wrongfully, 
such  idea  is  an  illusion.    For  instance,  a  person  sees  in  a  young  man 
of  twenty,  his  old  gray-haired  father. 

Second :  When  a  and  b  only  are  involved,  t.  e.  when  the  brain  (a) 
perceives  through  the  peripheral  organ  of  sense  (b)  an  external  object 
where  there  is  none,  the  result  is  a  hallucination.  There  are,  there- 
fore, hallucinations  of  sight,  hearing,  taste,  smell,  and  general  sen- 
sation. Hallucinations  of  sight,  for  instance,  are  perceptions  brought 
about,  not  by  impressions  upon  the  retina  by  external  objects,  but 
by  stimulation  within  the  central  organ  (a),  the  brain,  which  stimu- 
lation results  in  a  projection  as  if  originating  in  the  retina.  Exam- 
ple :  The  alcoholist  sees  serpents  and  hears  their  hissing  in  an  empty 
room. 

Third :  When  the  brain  (a)  conceives  an  idea  independently  of  a  peri- 
pheral sense-organ  and  of  an  external  object,  the  idea  is  a  delusion. 
Examples :  A  man  believes  himself  to  be  Napoleon  the  Great,  A 
man  believes  himself  to  be  internally  invested  by  fiends,  weapons, 
electrical  apparatus,  etc. 

(Definitions  constructed  by  A.  W.  Hoisholt,  M.D.,  Resident  Physician, 
State  Insane  Asylum,  Stockton,  California. 


148  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

shelter  over  distant  gables ;  approaching  nearer,  a  long 
row  of  elms  ;  at  the  end,  an  arched  entrance  midway 
of  spreading  walls  and  grated  windows ;  a  statue  of 
Mercy  upon  its  keystone  ;  on  the  face,  in  chiseled 
letters,  "State  Asylum  for  the  Insane." 

A  passage  through  to  a  roadway  beyond  ;  on  either 
side,  behind  the  buildings,  high  walls  enclose  space, 
where  men  are  walking,  thinking,  smiling,  laughing^ 
weeping,  talking,  praying,  shouting  and  blaspheming. 
Within,  decorated  offices  with  prosperous  air  and 
busy  desks  ;  beyond,  on  either  hand,  heavy  latticed 
doors  opening  to  ample  corridors  with  spotless  floors 
and  tinted  walls ;  in  the  distance,  other  latticed  doors, 
and  other  long  corridors,  retreating  at  angles  from 
the  first ;  at    their  junction,    broad    landings,    with 
chairs,  a  table,  and  a  pendulum  clock  high  on  the  wall. 
On    either   side  the   corridors,  a  row    of  rooms 
with  latticed  doors,  admitting  the  outside  eye  to  every 
corner  ;  spring  locks  within  an  outside  knob  of  brass  ; 
high  grated    windows  ;    brick  walls  plastered    and 
painted,  white  and  clean  ;  a   narrow  bedstead   fash- 
ioned from  hollow  iron  pipe,  bolted  to  the  floor  ;  wire 
mattress  ;  upon  it,  one  of  wool ;  warm  blankets ;  soft 
pillow   and  laundried  sheets,   where  specks   of  dirt 
must  never  come. 

Above,  and  still  above,  other  corridors,  other  rooms, 
other  latticed  doors,  and  other  landings  ;  with  chairs, 
a  table,  and  a  pendulum  clock  high  on  the  wall. 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  149 

Each  corridor  and  its  surrounding  rooms  comprise 
a  ward.  Experienced  attendants,  in  neat  apparel, 
attend  to  the  wants  and  needs  of  their  charges. 

Haldon  recognized  me,  shook  my  hand  and  imme- 
diately became  confidential.  An  attendant  put  an 
arm-chair  into  his  room  for  my  use,  and  Haldon  sat 
upon  the  bed  when  we  went  in  from  the  corri- 
dor ;  afterwards,  he  stood  and  talked  ;  sometimes 
walked  about ;  sometimes  threw  himself  upon  the  bed 
and  covered  his  face  in  the  pillow.  When  the  attend- 
ant went  away,  he  began  : 

"Have  you  got  some  brandy?  No!  That  is 
what  they  all  say  when  I  ask  for  it.  I  can  smell  it, 
though,  when  I  think  of  it,  and  taste  it — O,  such  a 
taste ! — when  I  dream  about  it.  They  cannot  deprive 
me  of  that.  If  the  awful  weapon  was  not  in  my 
head  I  could  go  away ;  then,  I  could  get  some.  They 
say  that  I  cannot  go  until  the  weapon  comes  out. 
Perhaps  it  never  will.  How  did  it  get  in  ?  Such  an 
awful  thing ;  I  must  tell  you." 

I  will  give   the  description  of  his  delirium    in  his ' 
own  words,    and  wish  that  I  might  put  his  gestures 
and  expressions  upon  the  pages  with  them. 

"  It  was  the  next  day  after  they  brought  me  here; 
yes,  the  next  day.  We  were  called  to  dinner.  I 
wanted  none.  There  was  no  wine ;  no  brandy ; 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

nothing.     I  could  not  eat  and  was  lying  on  the  bed, 
here  in  this  room. 

"  You  see  that  bedstead  ?  See  where  it  has  been 
mended?  There;  the  bow  that  makes  the  head. 
I  will  tell  you  about  that,  too.  I  will  tell  you  every- 
thing and  then  you  will  know. 

"  I  was  lying  on  the  bed.  The  corridors  were 
silent. 

"A  strange  feeling  came  to  me,  and  round  about 
me ;  in  the  air,  and  from  the  ground.  I  felt  that 
everything  about  this  world  was  changed.  Nothing 
remained  as  it  was.  The  air  was  thick  with  odors 
that  went  away  and  sent  others,  deeper  and  more 
noxious.  Strange  forms  came  in  from  strange  direc- 
tions, and  in  unusual  manner.  Colors  changed  in  a 
twinkling,  or  scattered  in  ghastly  splashes,  returned, 
and  deepened ;  and  sounds  forsook  their  wonted  ways; 
took  grotesque  shapes,  and  hideous ;  wandered  about, 
and  lingered. 

"  The  clock  in  the  landing  struck,  One. 

"  I  heard  the  sound  drop  to  the  floor  and  scramble 
through  the  lattices ;  its  metallic  footsteps  paced  the 
corridor,  stopped  at  my  door,  and  it  told  me  it  was 
One  ;  went  down  the  ward  to  other  doors  and  said  it 
was  One ;  went  into  other  wards  and  told  them  it 
was  One ;  and  far  away  I  heard  its  dying  whisper, 
One. 

"  'God  send  their  souls  to  hell !' 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  151 

"  I  heard  the  curse  ring  out  upon  the  lower  corri- 
dor, six  awful  words. 

"  They  filed  themselves  along  its  length  and  slowly 
walked  towards  me  ;  turned  in  the  landing ;  came 
down  the  ward  abreast,  and  ranged  themselves 
around  my  door  in  hideous  semi-circle,  with  legs  and 
arms  of  skeletons,  bodies  of  intertwining  lizards,  and 
heads  of  alphabetic  flame  ;  a  flaming  eye  in  every 
letter;  then  fell  upon  their  knees  and  raised  their 
bony  hands  above  their  heads  and  prayed  to  Heaven, 
'  God,  send  their  souls  to  hell.' 

"They  arose  and  looked  upon  me  through  the 
lattices  with  all  their  flaming  eyes,  then  went  away 
through  other  wards,  and  prayed,  and  cursed,  and 
prayed  again.  I  heard  them  going  through  the 
grounds  among  the  people  walking  there ;  then  back 
again  to  whence  they  came.  I  knew  they  sat  upon 
a  bench  in  the  lower  corridor  and  waited. 

"  My  head  was  burning.  I  heard  the  rain  patter 
upon  the  trees  and  upon  the  walk  beneath.  I  thought 
the  sight  would  cool  my  fever,  and  arose  and  stood  by 
the  window. 

"The  rain  was  blood!  It  dripped  from  off  the 
leaves  in  waxen  globules  that  clung  in  parting  and 
lengthened  out  to  scarlet  threads  ;  then  broke  away 
and  fell  in  whirling  quivers.  Among  the  groves, 
dark  pools  of  blood ;  and  blood  in  streams  was  flow- 
ing in  the  gutters.  The  first  that  fell  congealed  and 


152  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

clung  to  the  earth  in  uneven  hills  and  pinnacles  that 
waved  in  gluey  oscillation,  back  and  forth,  as  the 
warm  blood  ran  between.  Tints  of  reptile  green 
flashed  through  the  whole. 

"Above  was  horror.  Mid  yellow  clouds  that  rose 
from  smoking  blood  were  giant  abattoirs,  and  on  their 
platforms  stood  grinning  fiends  with  fishes'  eyes ; 
dressed  full  in  blue ;  blue  cowls  upon  their  heads. 
The  awful  weapons  that  they  held  and  swung  about 
the  air !  The  inner  edge,  a  sickle  ;  the  outer  edge, 
a  scimitar ;  and  the  point,  a  polished  needle.  The 
cruel  edges  glinted  in  the  sick  sunlight  that  filtered 
through  the  clouds  of  smoke,  and  cut  before  they 
touched. 

"  Behind  were  cowering  people,  kneeling,  suppli- 
cating, trembling,  with  no  escape.  The  fiends  heard 
not,  but  took  screaming  children  and  with  sickle 
edges  cut  awful  gashes  around  their  foreheads  and 
across  their  throats  ;  then  stood  upon  the  quivering 
forms  and  pressed  the  blood  to  streams,  which  ran 
aloncj  the  floor  and  fell  to  the  ground  below.  The 

o  o 

blood  flowed  on  forever.     None  would  die. 

"  One  held  a  man  and  drove  the  needle  point  far 
down  his  throat.  Great  streams  of  blood  shot  out 
among  the  clouds  and  fell  to  earth  in  showers. 

"One  grasped  a  woman  in  prayer,  with  streaming 
eyes.  With  scimitar  strokes  he  cut  a  gory  cross 
upon  her  breast  and  showed  her  heart.  With  needle 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  153 

thrust  he  pierced  its  artery,  and  throbbing  jets  fell 
down  upon  the  air  and  changed  to  mists  which  crept 
around  the  hills  and  hid  the  groves. 

"Then  colors  changed.  Red  was  black,  with 
green  vapors  over  and  around  it ;  yellow  was  white, 
with  lightning  flashes  shooting  through ;  and  blue 
was  shimmering  crimson.  Odors  came  from  all  the 
earth  and  mingled  in  a  loathsome  company.  I  could 
not  look  and  turned  away. 

"  God !  Come  to  me  !  Before  my  door,  and  look- 
ing through  the  lattices,  with  stony  eyes  gloating 
upon  me,  stood  a  fiend  in  shimmering  crimson ; 
crimson  cowl  upon  his  head ;  the  awful  weapon  raised 
in  the  air  above  him,  its  inner  edge  a  sickle,  its  outer 
edge  a  scimitar,  and  its  point  a  polished  needle. 

"The  door  was  locked.  He  could  not  reach  me. 
My  stifled  breath  came  back.  His  form  oozed 
through  the  door,  among  the  lattices,  and  stood 
within  my  room,  the  awful  weapon  raised  above 
him.  I  wrenched  the  head  from  off  the  iron  bed- 
stead and  struck  at  him  with  all  my  force.  He 
warded  with  his  weapon.  I  did  not  touch  him.  The 
six  dread  words  were  pacing  up  the  lower  corridor ; 
coming  to  me  to  pray.  Perhaps  their  prayer  would 
save  me. 

"  They  ranged  themselves  again  about  my  door  in 
semi-circle ;  their  flaming  eyes  looked  in  upon  us  ; 
their  legs  spun  round  in  rattling  dances,  their  bony 


154  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

arms  in  gestures  of  delight.  The  prayer  I  craved, 
was  cursing,  '  God  send  their  souls  to  hell ! '  and 
horrid  imprecations  crept  among  the  tones. 

"  I  will  kill  them  all !  I  swung  the  iron  pipe 
around  and  struck  the  fiend.  He  pushed  his  weapon 
at  me.  I  felt  its  sting  upon  my  cheek  and  struck 
again  with  greater  vengeance.  I  beat  him  back 
against  the  door  and  forced  him  through  it.  It  fell 
beneath  my  blows.  I  struck  among  the  dancing 
words  and  drove  them  down  the  corridor.  The  fiend 
was  gone  and  with  him  his  dreadful  weapon. 

"Hands  and  arms,  ropes  and  leather  thongs  came 
about  me  and  bound  me  to  the  iron  bedstead ;  my 
feet  below,  my  hands  on  either  side.  The  door 
came  up  and  clanged  its  lock  against  me. 

"  The  clock  in  the  landing  struck,  One — Two  ! 

"They  ran  out  at  the  door,  came  down  the  walk 
and  climbed  within  my  window  ;  chased  each  other 
about  and  under  my  bed,  and  sang  an  endless  song, 
'One,  Two.'  A  face  came  to  the  latticed  door.  They 
hurried  out,  and  away.  So  still.  The  world  went 
with  them. 

"  Soft  brown  eyes  amid  a  confiding  smile.  She 
was  not  bad.  She  has  come  to  rescue  me  ;  to  drive 
away  the  fiends  ;  to  unbind  my  hands  and  feet ;  to 
cool  my  head  with  her  sweet  breath  ;  to  kiss  and 
heal  the  wound  upon  my  cheek.  I  will  love  her 
always;  lay  her  face  against  my  breast  and  hold  her 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  155 

to  my  heart  forever.  I  will  breathe  among  the  rip- 
ples of  her  beautiful  hair  and  call  her  loving  names. 
I  will  build  her  palaces  of  splendor  in  the  midst  of 
delightful  gardens.  I  called  her  to  me. 

(t  As  the  fiend  did,  she  oozed  through  the  lattices 
and  stood  beside  me  in  gorgeous  raiment,  with 
enchanting  perfume.  She  threw  herself  upon  me, 
her  hands  upon  the  pillow  either  side  my  head ;  put 
her  soft  lips  around  the  wound  upon  my  cheek,  and 
drew  a  stream  and  swallowed.  I  felt  my  blood  start- 
ing towards  her  mouth  from  every  vein  and  artery, 
and  drew  my  hands  to  push  her  from  me.  The  thongs 
cut  into  my  wrists  and  held  them ;  I  could  not  move. 

"She  drew  and  drank.  The  draught  had  reached 
my  soul.  I  called  and  no  one  came.  If  I  turned 
my  face  away,  she  followed  ;  still  her  lips  around  the 
wound,  still  drawing. 

"  I  saw  her  hand  upon  the  pillow.  Strange  growth 
had  come  upon  the  fingers.  Shining  cones,  like 
tempered  steel,  were  growing  from  their  ends ;  had 
grown  to  needle  points  ;  five  glittering  weapons.  I 
turned  my  head  ;  the  other  hand  the  same ;  five  shin- 
ing cones.  She  disarranged  my  vestments,  and  put 
her  warm  hand  upon  my  breast ;  upon  the  naked 
skin.  I  felt  her  range  the  cones  in  even  circle  over 
my  heart,  then  plunge  their  cruel  sharpness  through 
the  flesh.  The  other  hand  she  put  around  my  tem- 
ple, forcing  the  cones  into  my  skull ;  then,  took  a  long, 


156  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

deep  draught  from  out  my  wound  and  raised  her  head. 

41 1  looked  at  her  with  fainting  eyes.  I  saw  the 
tresses  of  her  hair  turn  into  wriggling  worms ;  her 
tongue  into  a  scorpion's  tail ;  her  soft  brown  eyes  to 
fires  of  greed,  and  her  confiding  smile  changed  into 
scorn.  She  breathed  on  my  face  ;  a  baneful  breath ; 
laughed  a  hideous,  heartless  laugh ;  then  pushed  the 
cones  yet  deeper  down.  I  felt  their  swelling  wedges 
slide  smooth  through  bone  and  cartilage  and  clasp 
around  my  heart  and  brain.  Her  scorpion  tongue 
hissed  in  my  ear,  'I  drew  your  soul  away,  and  now,  I 
take  your  heart  and  brain.'  • 

"Angels  of  haste!     Bring  Samson's  strength. 

"  I  drew  upon  the  leather  thongs  about  my  wrists  ; 
one  broke  ;  the  right  hand  free.  I  clasped  it  on  her 
neck,  around  the  ruffled  laces  and  around  the  wrig- 
gling worms.  I  felt  my  fingers  sinking  in  the  flesh. 
I  have  felt  it  somewhere,  once  before.  I  felt  the 
laces  draw  ;  the  blood  run  over  me  ;  I  felt  the  bones 
break  off.  The  head  dropped  down  and  fell  upon  the 
floor,  the  body  lay  across  me.  I  pushed  it  back  and 
drew  the  cones  from  round  my  heart  and  round  my 
brain.  I  loosed  the  thongs  from  off  my  feet  and 
from  my  other  wrist,  and  took  the  body  up,  with  giant 
strength,  and  hurled  it  through  the  lattices. 

"  Monster  forms  came  in  ;  pressed  me  upon  the 
bed,  and  brought  three  monstrous  hooded  cobras  ; 
tied  them  in  love  knots  ;  one  about  my  feet,  and  one 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  157 

upon  each  wrist.  They  went  away  and  left  her  head 
lying  beneath  my  bed.  Colors  changed  again  to  all 
their  wonted  places, 

11  The  clock  in  the  landing  struck,  '  One — Two 

Three!' 

"I  heard  them  wriggling  down  the  corridor;  their 
scales  rasping  upon  the  burnished  floor.  They  came 
crawling  through  the  wall  beside  my  bed,  and  near 
my  head.  The  cobras  raised  their  hoods  and  hissed. 

"  Three  serpent  sounds  glided  upon  my  pillow, 
coiled  beside  each  cheek,  and  one,  upon  my  fore- 
head ;  raised  their  heads  in  air,  and  waved  their 
rhythms,  One — Two — Three !  A  simple  love  knot ! 
It  were  easy  to  withdraw  from  them  and  throw  my 
body  through  the  window  into  the  blood  below. 
That  would  be  heaven  to  this.  The  cobras  heard  my 
thought  and  closed  the  knots  upon  my  wrists  and 
feet  in  unyielding  pressure. 

"A  great  flaming  tongue  with  dagger  forks  came 
flashing  through  the  lattices,  withdrew,  then  darted 
in  again.  The  cobras  hissed.  The  three  about  my- 
head  slipped  off  the  pillow  and  crawled  beneath  my 
bed.  I  heard  them  coil  about  her  head  and  roll  it 
on  the  floor,  Once — Twice — Thrice !  Then  back 
again,  Once — Twice — Thrice!  and  then  again,  an 
endless  rolling. 

"A  flaming,  darting  tongue ;  fangs  like  tusks ;  gloat- 
ing eyes,  gleaming  with  iridescent  venom  ;  a  broad 


158  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

python  head  that  filled  the  lattices  pushed  through 
into  my  room.  The  cobras  drew  the  love-knots  closer. 

"  I  saw  his  length  within  his  eyes.  He  came  from 
eastward ;  passed  through  the  arch  beneath  the  statue 
of  Mercy ;  down  the  passage  between  the  walls  ; 
around  the  eastern  buildings ;  again,  through  the 
arch,  around  the  western  buildings ;  again  to  the 
arch,  through  the  offices  and  down  the  corridor  to 
my  door.  His  length  was  all  the  distance  of  his 
windings,  and  he  lay  about  the  Asylum,  an  awful 
figure  eight,  crawling  in  blood. 

"He  stopped  and  laid  his  head  beside  the  cobra 
in  the  love-knot,  upon  the  outside  rail,  then  looked 
beneath  the  bed.  Three  serpent  sounds  darted 
about  the  floor,  shrieking  and  seeking  escape  ; 
crawled  up  the  wall  into  the  room  above.  I  heard 
his  tongue  lapping  the  head  beneath;  I  saw  the 
swelling  throat  as  it  passed  through  ;  the  bulging 
body  carrying  it  away.  The  dreadful  words  came 
up  the  lower  corridor,  then  down  the  ward,  and 
stood  before  my  door.  They  raised  their  hands  and 
prayed,  '  God,  send  their  souls  to  hell.' 

"He  laid  his  head  again  beside  the  cobra,  shot 
his  tongue  about  my  face  and  touched  the  wound 
upon  my  cheek  with  the  dagger  forks.  I  felt  the 
intoxicating  poison  steal  through  my  blood  and  in 
my  brain.  The  cobras  loosed  the  love-knots.  I 
could  not  move ;  could  only  see  and  hear. 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  159 

"  I  saw  strange  scenes  and  figures  come  upon  the 
python's  head  and  lighted  in  flashing  colors  by  his 
eyes.  Slowly  they  came  upon  the  glistening  canvas 
as  if  from  hand  and  brush  within  his  head. 

"A  saintly  face ;  a  woman's  form ;  myself  upon  my 
mother's  lap ;  her  arms  around  her  child.  The 
cobras  raised  to  half  their  length,  waved  back  and 
forth,  their  deadly  eyes  on  mine.  The  flaming 
tongue  came  on  my  face,  the  dagger  forks  drank  all 
the  tears  that  rilled  my  eyes  and  left  them  burning. 

"Four  loving  arms  entwined;  my  wife,  myself; 
a  cloud  of  shimmering  mist  before  us,  that  slowly 
changed  to  shining  drapery,  pure  face,  and  love-lit 
eyes :  our  daughter  Josephine.  Streams  of  white 
flame  poured  from  the  python's  eyes,  on  either  side, 
and  made  a  frame  of  glory  round  the  three. 

"The  cobras  laid  their  heads  upon  my  breast  and 
slept. 

"A  form  of  beauty ;  golden  drapery ;  soft  eyes  and 
beckoning  smile.  The  cobras  nestled.  The  pearly 
frame  had  changed  to  crimson.  The  head  moved 
towards  my  face,  bringing  the  picture  nearer. 

"  Upon  her  shoulder  was  a  vase  and  in  her  hand 
a  goblet.  She  filled  and  reached  it  to  me.  I  raised 
myself  to  take  it,  but  the  cobras  closed  the  love- 
knots  ;  the  python  hissed  an  unearthly  hiss  with 
breath  of  tempest,  and  pushed  his  head  through  the 
window,  his  body  following  swiftly  after.  His  fear- 


160  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

ful  length  rushed  by  me  with  changing  colors, 
blood,  and  deadly  smells.  His  tail  came  through 
the  lattices,  and  with  an  awful  sweep  he  raised  it  to 
the  ceiling  and  plunged  his  sting  into  my  breast, 
through  my  lungs,  my  spine,  and  through  the  bed 
beneath.  The  cobras  untied  the  love-knots;  stood 
on  their  coils  and  drove  their  fangs  into  either  cheek 
and  into  my  throat. 

"  The  fiend  in  blue  came  in  and  pushed  his  weap- 
on into  my  head.  He  is  in  there  with  it:  the  awful 
weapon !  Its  inner  edge  is  a  sickle ;  its  outer  edge  is 
a  scimitar;  its  point  is  a  polished  needle. 

"  The  clock  in  the  landing  struck,  One — Two — 

Three— Four!" 

*         * 
* 

Imagination !     Ornate  fancy ! 
Do  you  think  this? 

A  man  told  me  who  saw  and  felt  it  all,  within 
the  Asylum  walls. 


CHAPTER  XL 


Within  the  dells  or  on  the  upland  slopes 
No  chosen  one  awaits  you,  maiden  fair ; 

No  fairy  flits  among  the  groves,  O  youth ! 
Breathing  your  name  on  the  enchanted  air. 


OSEPHINEHaldon 
looked  upon  the  fu- 
ture that  was  not 
to  be  as  she  had 
thought.  Content- 
ment might  take  the 
place  of  joy,  home 
of  society,  and  her 
life  be  filled  with  a 
completeness  of  pur- 
pose, although  dis- 
turbed by  sorrow 
and  disappointment." 

Within  reason  and  the  bounds  of  intelligent  thought 
were  all  the  methods  to  which  she  gave  considera- 
tion, and  with  the  unbending  resolution  of  her  race 
she  entered  the  path  of  duty. 

Where  she  had  consoled,  she  still  gave  comfort ; 

where  she  had  cheered,  she  still  brought  gladness  ; 

11 


162  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

where  she  had  met  in  friendship,  she  still  gave  pleas- 
ure ;  but  where  she  loved,  she  was  in  doubt,  deep 
and  perplexing. 

Leslie  Montford  had  given  her  even  greater  con- 
sideration than  before  her  sorrow,  and  showed  to  her 
the  cheerful  possibilities  that  still  remained  in  life. 
Devoted  and  encouraging  words  came  from  a  gen- 
erous heart,  and  he  gave  no  intimation  of  desire  for 
any  change  in  their  relations,  but  spoke  of  their 
future  as  he  would  have  done  had  there  been  no 
intervening  trouble. 

What  of  the  future,  that  dark  kingdom  controlled 
by  unknown  rulers  ?  As  the  sun  of  life  rises,  where 
within  its  borders  shall  we  find  our  estate  ?  Will  its 
castle  walls  be  covered  by  flowering  vines,  or  the 
windows  with  iron  shutters,  keeping  imprisoned 
souls  from  liberty  ?  A  great  calamity  had  come  upon 
her.  She  felt  its  terrors  and  knew  its  cause.  She 
had  seen  a  man  of  exalted  mind  and  generous 
thought  go  into  vile  places  and  cover  his  brain  with 
delusion  and  his  soul  with  blood.  Another  had  come 
to  her  with  heart  as  clean  and  mind  as  elevated, 
and  asked  her  to  be  his  wife.  She  had  pledged  her- 
self to  him  and  loved  him.  The  words  were  given 
by  a  tongue  that  had  never  spoken  falsely. 

He  had  touched  the  thing  that  had  destroyed  her 
father.     He  apprehended  no  danger.     Is  he  stronger^, 
than   others?     This   cannot   be.     If  strength  were 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  163 

safety  her  father  would  be  with  her.  Could  she  lead 
him  aright  ?  Would  he  refrain  for  her  sake  and  for 
the  love  she  gave  him  ?  Would  it  be  just  to  ask  this  ? 
Should  not  every  one  stand  firmly  in  the  right,  leav- 
ing others  to  strengthen  themselves  in  purity  ? 

He  said  there  was  no  danger  in  his  future  ;  that  he 
had  no  desire  for  wine.  Why  did  he  taste  it  ?  What 
the  benefit  and  where  the  need  ?  She  had  not  known 
of  this  when  she  promised.  She  should  have  known, 
and  now  her  word  was  given.  Friends  and  society 
would  deride,  should  she  break  her  troth  with  one  so 
worthy  and  so  exemplary.  For  what  ?  they  would  say  ; 
just  a  little  wine  occasionally?  That  is  nothing.  It 
was  much  to  her.  Had  she  known  of  this  before  her 
betrothment  she  would  have  crushed  the  budding 
love  and  rejected  him.  Can  she  do  it  now,  in  honor, 
and  can  the  great  love  she  now  has  ever  die  ? 

When  a  woman  becomes  entangled  in  the  perplexi- 
ties of  every-day  life,  of  household,  or  society,  she 
confides  in  some  other  woman,  and  they,  together, 
plan  a  relief;  but  when  she  becomes  overwhelmed  by 
anxiety  and  doubts  that  put  their  weight  upon  her 
womanhood,  she  may  counsel  with  a  man  in  whom  she 
trusts.  Fortunate  is  she  who  encounters  a  true 
manhood. 

Were  her  father  with  her,  Josephine  would  seek 
no  other  adviser;  but  he  was  away,  out  of  the  world 
of  thought.  Judge  Heron  was  her  father's  adviser 


164  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

and  she  had  known  him  since  childhood.  She  had 
always  moved  within  the  circle  of  his  friends  and  she 
knew  their  esteem  for  him.  Her  father  trusted  in 
him,  and  when  she  was  in  his  presence  she  felt  his 
integrity.  Her  mother  and  sisters  were  in  a  distant 
part  of  the  city  to  spend  the  evening  with  friends. 
Judge  Heron's  residence  was  but  a  short  distance 
from  her  home  and  in  the  late  afternoon  she  called 
upon  him.  She  said  to  him  that  her  call  was  for 
advice  only,  and  he  gave  her  a  seat  in  his  library  and 
sat  before  her  in  a  high-backed  rocking  chair,  a  sturdy 
relic  of  his  grandfather's  household. 

She  explained  her  mission  : 

"Judge  Heron,  my  father  is  not  with  me,  and  I 
need  his  strength  of  mind  for  guidance.  My  confi- 
dence has  led  me  to  you  and  to  your  aid.  I  ask  you 
to  advise  me  as  he  would  have  spoken.  In  that 
which  concerns  my  future  life  I  am  in  doubt  and 
would  be  directed  in  the  right  way ;  in  the  way  that 
leads  to  justice  for  others  as  well  as  for  myself.  I  ask 
the  result  of  your  thought  and  judgment  in  the  rela- 
tions of  life  that  pertain  to  my  happiness  and  that  of 
those  with  whom  I  associate ;  to  my  duty  and  its 
application  to  others ;  my  duty  to  myself  and  the 
action  that  should  control  me.  Is  my  clientage  a 
welcome  one  ? " 

"A  delight  to  me,  Josephine.     You  will  pardon 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  165 

me — I  called  you  that  before  you  could  speak  the 
word." 

She  told  him  of  her  engagement;  of  its  social  and 
intellectual  propriety  ;  of  the  approval  of  relatives  and 
friends  ;  of  the  unity  of  aspiration  and  thought ;  and 
then  of  the  knowledge,  coming  afterwards,  that  her 
affianced  was  not  confirmed  in  the  great  principle  that 
she  considered  indispensable  to  the  stability  of  their 
future  welfare  ;  that  upon  occasions  he  had  drunk  the 
thing  which  had  robbed  her  of  a  father's  care  and 
companionship.  What  was  her  obligation  to  him, 
and  to  herself?  The  great  comprehensive  right  was 
what  she  wished  to  know. 

Judge  Heron  said,  "The  first  thought  to  consider 
lies  in  the  path  of  duty.  What  are  his  obligations  to 
you?  Not  for  the  present  only,  but  for  life? 

"  Let  us  find  the  truth. 

"  You  bring  to  him  a  perfect  character,  free  from 
stain  ;  a  mind  established  in  right  thought ;  a  firm- 
ness of  purpose  that  guarantees  to  him  correct  action 
in  all  the  things  of  life.  He  takes  you  with  an  abso-- 
lute  certainty  that  you  will  meet  the  requirements  of 
every  duty  that  may  be  yours  to  perform,  not  only  to 
him,  but  to  yourself,  and  to  the  world.  He  has  no 
apprehension  of  evil  in  his  future  life  with  you,  and 
begins  it  with  a  sense  of  security  that  sees  the  con- 
tinuance, and  the  end,  as  a  perfect  knowledge.  You 
are  entitled  to  the  same  security  ;  the  same  freedom 


166  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

from  apprehension  ;  and  the  same  certainty  of  duties 
to  be  performed  If  he  cannot  bring  you  all  this  to- 
day, he  has  already  failed  in  his  obligations  to  you. 
A  fear  of  the  future  is  an  ever-present  calamity.  If 
he  cannot  remove  this,  he  has  already  darkened  your 
life. 

"The  next  consideration  is  his  duty  to  your  child- 
ren. No  words  can  tell  what  the  eye  observes.  The 
mind  repels  description  and  grasps  the  object,  and 
around  the  model  of  example  characters  are  formed 
Duty  to  the  child  includes  everything  that  elevates, 
and  he  who  puts  within  its  sight  a  thing  that  degrades, 
forgets  that  duty.  He  tells  the  child  to  taste  not, 
and  partakes  himself.  The  child  rejects  the  precept, 
and  awaits  an  opportunity  to  comprehend  the  object. 
Duty  to  the  child  requires  him  to  advance  his  mind 
to  all  the  finer  lines  of  thought  that  he  may  give  it 
higher  pleasures.  If  he  does  that  which  restricts  his 
own  powers  he  fails  in  its  requirements.  The  child 
is  entitled  to  a  healthy  body,  a  clear  brain,  and  quiet 
nerves.  If  he  takes  that  which  transmits  weakness 
of  body,  unsoundness  of  brain,  and  sentient  nerves, 
along  the  line  of  his  posterity,  he  not  only  neglects 
his  duty  but  robs  your  children  of  their  rights. 

"  What  are  your  obligations  to  him  ? 

"  You  have  promised  to  be  his  wife.  Your  word  is 
sacred,  and  must  be  kept,  unless  sufficient  reason  can 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  167 

be  shown  why  you  should  recall  it.     Let  us  find  the 
truth. 

"If  any  part  of  a  maiden's  life  is  concealed  from 
society  and  friends,  she  is  suspected  of  a  moral  mis- 
application of  that  time,  and  a  swarm  of  sdspicions 
come  about  her  from  the  social  world  in  which  she 
moves.  Her  good  reputation  is  founded  on  the 
clear  knowledge  of  her  friends  and  intimates  regard- 
ing the  places  she  is  in  ;  the  company  in  which  she  is ; 
and  what  she  is  doing,  at  all  times.  Her  virtues  and 
tendencies  are  well  known,  and  he  who  asks  for  her 
hand  knows  precisely  what  he  is  contracting  for. 
There  is  nothing  more  for  him  to  ascertain,  and  his 
obligation  is  binding  from  the  day  that  he  assumes  it. 

"  The  man  who  comes  to  her  virtually  says  that  he 
is  her  equal  in  morals  and  in  actions.  Otherwise,  she 
could  place  herself  under  no  obligation  whatever.  If 
she  accepts  him,  she  does  so  upon  his  assertion  of 
equality,  and  that  it  reaches  the  standard  of  her  own 
excellence.  If  he  conceals  from,  or  neglects  to  inform 
her  of  anything  in  which  he  falls  below  it,  her  obliga- 
tion ends  when  that  thing  is  brought  to  her  knowl- 
edge. She  cannot  know  him  as  he  knows  her.  If 
he  steps  aside  from  the  path  of  well-doing,  society 
puts  a  hand  over  the  mouth  of  him  who  would  pro- 
claim it,  and  with  the  other  points  to  his  attractions. 
Her  only  protection  is  her  undoubted  right  to  recede 
when  she  discovers  his  defects.  You  were  relieved 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

from  all  obligations  when  his  tendency  was  known 

to  you." 

"  If  I  could  know  ;  if  he  would  assure  me — Judge 

Heron,  I  love  him ! " 

Her  head  bent  forward  and  her  eyes  lingered  upon 
the  hands  folded  in  her  lap. 

Why  do  a  maiden's  eyes  lower  when  she  tells 
another  that  she  loves ?  Why  does  her  head  droop? 
Is  there  shame  in  love? 

What  was  the  shadow  that  came  over  Judge 
Heron's  face  as  he  put  his  head  against  the  high  back 
of  the  antique  chair,  and  looked  through  the  window 
at  the  setting  sun,  dim  through  the  dust  blown  over 
the  city  by  a  fierce  October  wind  ?  What  the  power 
that  clenched  his  hands  upon  his  knee  with  inter- 
lacing fingers  ?  Was  the  sun  taking  a  memory  of 
youth  with  it  into  the  night,  and  were  the  hands 
grasping  the  drapery  of  a  dead  love  to  hold  her  yet 
longer  with  him? 

The  swaying  curtain  threw  lights  and  shades  over 
the  face  of  the  girl  before  him,  as  he  watched  the 
sun  sink  and  the  twilight  mingle  with  its  lengthening 
rays ;  then  he  looked  at  her  and  saw  the  waiting  eyes 
asking  for  help  in  this  her  great  distress. 

The  shadow  left  his  face  and  lines  of  thought  drew 
about  its  place.  Her  eyes  asked  him  to  open  the 
path  of  life  and  show  her  the  way  and  the  truth. 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  169 

He  had  no  need  to  search  for  it,  to  say,  "  Let  us  find 
it."  He  knew  it;  but  how  should  he  tell  her? 

What  is  love  ? 

Her  enquiry  had  never  defined  it.  His  thought 
had  delved  among  passions  and  impulses,  amid 
emotions  and  desires,  to  find  their  fountains  and  their 
missions,  and  he  knew  of  this,  the  great  overpower- 
ing impulse,  of  its  birth  and  purpose. 

What  words  could  he  find  for  her  ear  whereby  she 
could  know  as  he  knew,  and  be  not  dismayed  nor  her 
chastity  offended  ?  He  knew  that  honor  was  within 
her  and  directed  all  her  movements ;  that,  the  traveler 
upon  the  street  could  know,  as  if  a  herald  were  walk- 
ing by  her  side  proclaiming  it  at  every  step.  Could 
he  say  and  not  insult?  It  was  her  right  to  hear. 
Prim  conventionality  had  kept  from  her  the  things 
she  ought  to  know.  He  would  tell  her  the  truth  as 
he  had  found  it  He  lighted  the  jet  above  his  desk, 
pushed  away  the  chair  and  stood  before  her. 

"Josephine,  you  do  not  love  Leslie  Montford. 
Stay !  Be  seated.  Hear  me  to  the  end  and  then 
decide  against  me  if  you  will. 

''The  soul  has  aspirations,  the  mind  has  thoughts, 
and  the  body  has  desires.  The  body  does  not 
reason — it  grasps.  The  soul  does  not  reflect — it 
aspires.  The  mind  does  both,  and  mediates.  'In 
His  own  image  created  He  them.'  This  is  the  trinity. 
The  material,  the  mental,  and  the  Celestial  Intelli- 


170  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

gence  that  needs  not  reflection  nor  reason,  but  com- 
prehends all  things.  In  the  domains  of  that  intelli- 
gence there  is  no  giving  in  marriage. 

"  The  unity  of  sexes  is  from  the  impulse  of  the 
material.  Love  is  an  essential  positive  seeking  its 
negative,  and  the  positive  and  negative  are  either 
sex.  It  grasps  the  universal  opposite.  It  is  the 
basis  of  creation  and  the  bond  of  companionship. 
The  mind  should  direct  it  to  the  individual  with 
thought  and  reflection,  comprehending  its  own  needs. 

"Any  one — note  that  I  say  one,  Josephine — any 
one  of  millions  may  fulfil  all  the  requirements  of  any 
one  of  millions  of  the  opposite  sex ;  and  no  especial  one 
of  either  was  created  to  gratify  the  love  of  any  other 
one.  Joyous  is  the  life  of  those  who  choose  each 
other  with  their  judgment,  and  doubtful  the  life  of 
those  who  depend  upon  love  alone  to  take  them  to 
the  end.  The  belief  that  love  has  its  mate  some- 
where on  earth  is  spreading  sorrow  over  its  face. 
Against  thought,  and  against  reason,  have  its  advo- 
cates presented,  in  story  and  in  verse,  the  glory  of 
the  lover  and  his  only  love. 

"  From  the  bright  creations  of  Fielding  and  Scott, 
through  the  long  list  of  romance  to  the  inanities  of 
the  common  novel,  the  one  woman  has  been  pursued, 
and  the  one  man  waited  for.  The  false  idea  has 
crawled  along  the  pages  and  dropped  its  slime  upon 
the  brain  of  the  youth  and  over  the  heart  of  the 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  171 

maiden.  Impelled  by  its  promptings,  the  gentleman 
mingles  his  blood  with  vulgarity,  the  lady  marries  the 
profligate,  and  wrecks  upon  the  sea  of  matrimony 
outnumber  the  sails.- 

"This  belief  deceives  mankind.  It  shows  to  them 
a  loving  twain  who  range  the  world  and  dare  its 
floods  and  fires  to  throw  themselves  into  each  other's 
arms.  It  points  to  the  flowery  vales  of  love  along 
their  path,  and  lingers  upon  the  passionate  kiss  that 
chokes  their  breath.  It  nestles  among  the  intertwin- 
ing arms,  goes  with  them  to  the  door  of  the  bridal- 
chamber,  and  leaves  them  there.  It  gives  no  word 
of  the  life  beyond.  Oh  !  for  an  inspiration  of  truth  to 
take  them  there,  and  portray  the  lights  and  shadows 
of  the  married  life  in  enticing  periods  that  all  would 
read. 

"This  belief  clouds  the  reason.  It  keeps  the  mind 
from  contemplation  of  the  future  and  its  require- 
ments ;  blinds  the  eyes  to  imperfections  that  become 
offensive ;  prevents  analysis  of  character  and  intel- 
lectual capacity ;  hides  tendency  to  wrong  and  excuses' 
crime  ;  peoples  the  earth  with  inferior  races,  and  fills 
its  homes  with  frailty  and  disease.  Raise  yourself 
above  it,  and  choose  your  husband  with  your  judg- 
ment, and  not  with  your  impulses." 

The  head  that  heard  bent  low. 

Love  is  shame,  if  uncontrolled  by  thought. 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

As  Josephine  walked  to  her  home,  thin  clouds  of 
smoke  with  smell  of  burning  pine  came  around  her, 
borne  by  the  autumn  gale.  From  an  open  space  she 
saw,  far  in  the  southwest,  a  great  flame  rising  high 
above  the  intervening  buildings  and  painting  their 
towers  and  steeples  upon  its  face.  Smoking  engines, 
wagons  with  hose  and  implements  of  rescue,  rushed 
down  the  streets  towards  it.  Men  and  boys  in 
throngs,  on  horseback  and  on  foot,  hurried  to  the 
scene.  The  flames  broadened.  "An  awful  fire,"  a 
neighbor  said  ;  "  an  awful  wind,  and  blowing  directly 
on  us.  A  great  fire  in  the  same  locality  last  night ; 
the  same  wind  ;  and  they  conquered  that.  There  is 
no  danger,  not  to  us.  The  fire  is  on  the  west  side, 
two  miles  away,  and  two  broad  rivers  are  between  ; 
also  great  masses  of  brick,  stone  and  iron  buildings, 
in  the  business  centre.  It  cannot  go  beyond  them; 
they  would  check  it  should  it  cross  the  river." 

She  went  to  her  room  and  gave  the  fire  no  further 
heed,  except  that  the  smoke  penetrated  the  room  and 
annoyed  her.  The  servants  said  that  her  mother 
and  sisters  had  not  returned,  and  she  went  to  the 
library  and  sat  in  the  chair  by  the  commercial  desk, 
her  father's  chair,  and  thought.  New  thoughts  had 
come  to  her,  as  visitors,  to  give  opinions  of  herself, 
her  acts  and  purposes.  While  she  thought,  the  fire 
had  seized  and  devoured  the  homes  of  the  poor  in 
which  its  first  appetite  was  whetted  ;  leaped  across 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  173 

the  river  to  the  storehouses  of  wealth  ;  crumbled  the 
brick  in  their  walls  ;  shivered  the  stones  in  their  foun- 
dations ;  torn  the  iron  girders  from  their  ceilings, 
and  thrown  them  about  the  streets  in  fantastic  shapes. 
The  solid  centre  resisted ;  the  flames  put  an  arm 
around  it  to  the  westward,  another  to  the  east,  and 
pushed  them  across  the  second  river  and  far  to  the 
north  among  the  mass  of  wooden  shops  and  tene- 
ments— a  monster  horse-shoe  boding  misfortune — 
then  slowly  drew  to  itself  all  within  the  arms. 

The  smoke  in  the  library  grew  denser ;  the  house 
was  lonely.  "  Where  is  the  maid  ? "  Josephine  called, 
and  found  her  gone.  She  heard  wagons  rattling  by. 
"  Nothing  unusual ;  this  is  a  great  city  and  noise  is 
its  speech." 

The  air  grew  dense  and  hot  A  sharp  sound  like 
a  pistol  shot  rang  through  the  parlors.  She  went 
into  them,  alarmed,  and  by  her  side  another  pistol 
sound,  and  the  heavy  paper  on  the  wall  parted  in  a 
broad  seam  from  ceiling  to  wainscot ;  the  gas  jets 
slowly  sank  and  disappeared  as  if  drawn  into  the 
pipes  ;  lines  of  deep  crimson  came  about  the  borders 
of  the  window  shades.  She  raised  one  and  looked 
upon  the  street ;  shrank  back,  and  looked  again  with 
the  fascination  of  terror. 

Above,  a  lowering  stream  of  burning  smoke,  thick 
with  sparks,  flaming  boards,  and  shingles,  covered  all 
the  distance  within  her  sight  and  flew  over  the  city 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

before  the  wind,  dropping  from  its  burden  of  flame, 
flecks  of  fire  and  showers  of  sparks,  upon  the  streets 
and  houses  below  it.  A  burning  mass  like  flying 
cloth  fell  upon  a  house  across  the  street,  and  the 
flames  flashed  over  the  shingles  and  lapped  the  roofs 
beyond. 

"A  woolen  cloak,  a  run  to  the  lake,  and  I  am  safe." 
She  put  it  on  and  drew  its  hood  over  her  head  ;  looked 
a  farewell  to  all  her  parlor  treasures,  and  went  out  into 
the  burning  world. 

"  Good-bye,  my  home!"  and  even  as  she  spoke  a 
flame  leaped  through  an  attic  window  and  down  upon 
the  slated  roof. 

Swift  footsteps  came  to  her  side,  and  to  her  ear  an 
exclamation  of  mingled  fear  and  joy,  "My  Josephine! 
You  live  and  may  be  saved !  "  Leslie  Montford  took 
her  hand  and  the  race  for  life  began. 

Behind  them  a  solid  wall  of  fire  ;  the  roar  of  fall- 
ing walls,  and  crashing  timbers.  On  the  left  a  line  of 
flames  streamed  over  the  wooden  buildings  that  lined 
the  streets  beyond  and  reached  far  to  the  north. 
Between  them  and  the  lake,  another  line  of  fire  of 
slower  pace  than  that  to  the  westward  ;  that  flew, 
this  ran.  Could  they  outstrip  it  and  pass  around  ? 
The  solid  residences  and  their  ample  grounds  held 
back  the  fire  and  gave  them  hope.  Even  as  hope 
became  assurance  they  saw  flames  spreading  among 
the  mass  of  buildings  before  them,  to  the  north. 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  175 

Their  heated  wood  had  dried  to  tinder  in  the  long 
hot  blast  that  poured  among  them,  and  one  fired  by 
sparks  from  the  cloud  above,  flashed  into  flames  that 
in  a  moment  enveloped  blocks.  The  line  of  fire  to 
the  east  joined  the  northern  mass,  and  all  about  them 
was  a  sea  of  fire  ;  fire  in  the  air  above. 

Thick,  blinding  smoke,  dust  and  ashes,  cinders  and 
sparks,  drove  against  them  upon  the  southwest 
tempest.  Hot  currents  from  the  mass  of  fire  around 
them  scorched  their  breath ;  then  cooler  eddies  from 
the  lake  swept  over  them,  parting  the  cloud  above. 

"  Miss  Josephine,  your  dress  is  on  fire."  A  boy 
caught  the  folds  of  her  cloak  in  his  hands  and  rubbed 
out  the  smouldering  flame.  "  Miss  Josephine,  I 
could  not  get  home  to  mother.  I  thought  you  might 
need  me  to  help  you.  Mister  Leslie,  can  we  ever 
save  Miss  Josephine?  It  is  so  hot  my  tongue  is  dry. 
Mister  Leslie,  where  can  we  take  her  ?  See  the  sparks 
on  your  hat ;  throw  them  off!  See  that  row  of 
houses  on  fire !  Miss  Josephine's  house  was  most 
burned  up  when  I  got  there.  We  must  get  her  from 
this  or  she  will  be  burned.  If  Miss  Josephine  dies  it 
will  kill  my  mother.  See !  the  street  is  on  fire  where 
that  burning  board  fell.  The  streets  over  here  are 
all  wooden  blocks  and  they  laid  them  in  tar;  they 
will  all  burn,  too  ;  streets  and  houses  and  all.  We  must 
take  her  somewhere.  It's  so  hot,  it  seems  like  fire 
inside  me  when  I  breathe.  Mister  Leslie,  what  are 


176  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

you  thinking  about  ?  We  must  get  where  there  is 
some  water  or  something.  Mister  Leslie !  Miss  Jose- 
phine is  sick." 

Overcome  by  terror  and  heat,  she  put  her  hand  on 
Montford's  shoulder  and  her  weight  against  him. 

11  Leslie,  tell  my  mother,  my  sisters,  and  my  father — 
O,  my  father!" 

Her  head  fell  and  his  arms  were  about  a  helpless 
form. 

"  Mister  Leslie,  take  her  to  that  greenhouse;  may 
be  it  is  cooler  in  there  among  the  flowers.  Anyway, 
the  thick  glass  will  keep  away  the  sparks  and  fire 
that's  falling;"  and  Henry  Temple  pointed  to  a  green- 
house near  the  corner  of  a  large  brick  mansion  within 
a  broad  lawn  fronting  the  street. 

"The  chance  of  a  shipwrecked  manner  in  mid- 
ocean." 

With  this  thought  Montford  raised  Josephine  in 
his  arms,  ran  down  the  graveled  walk  and  pushed 
away  the  light  door  of  the  greenhouse.  The  heat 
was  more  intense  than  that  without.  Through  the 
heavy  glass  came  floods  of  heat  that  wilted  the  roses 
and  shriveled  their  leaves,  and  the  damp  ground 
smoked  as  from  fires  underneath.  He  put  his  head 
against  her  heart  and  heard  it  beating. 

"She  lives  ;  but  when  the  flames  close  around  us 
death  will  come  with  them." 

Heroic  men  see  death  inevitable  and  are  serene. 


.J 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  177 

He  would  die  with  her  he  loved,  and  was  content. 
He  put  his  face  to  hers  and  kissed  her  cheek,  her 
eyelids,  and  her  forehead.  His  lips  were  parched 
and  left  a  mark  of  blood  where  he  had  kissed. 

"  I  would  give  it  all  to  save  her;  pour  it  upon  her 
face  to  cool  the  air  she  breathes.  What  is  the  agony 
of  death  ?  There  is  none  if  she  dies ;  no  pang  to 
leave  the  world  and  go  with  her." 

A  child's  voice  aroused  him. 

"Mister  Leslie,  there  is  water  here,  1  drank 
some  and  it  made  me  cold;  the  air  is  cooler.  Here, 
from  this  pipe  I'll  bring  some  in  the  flower  pot  for 
Miss  Josephine." 

Montford  sprinkled  the  water  over  her  face  and 
head  ;  dripped  it  into  her  mouth  ;  laid  her  upon  the 
ground,  and  poured  the  rest  about  her  head.  He 
went  to  the  pipe,  and  from  the  lessening  stream  filled 
the  empty  flower  pots  that  lay  upon  a  shelf  near  by, 
then  sprinkled  their  contents  over  the  floor,  the 
tables,  and  the  flowers.  When  he  returned  to  Jose- 
phine she  was  sitting  upon  the  ground  looking  about- 
her,  at  the  flowers  and  at  the  crimson  light  that  glit- 
tered above  her  head.  The  water  had  struck  a  pane 
of  glass  in  the  corner  next  the  mansion,  and  it  shiv- 
ered, falling  half  way.  Through  the  opening  they 
saw  the  mansion  on  fire ;  flames  pouring  through  the 
doors  and  windows.  The  roof  fell  into  the  raging 


12 


178  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

flame  beneath  it,  but  the  staunch  old-fashioned  walls 
stood  as  perfect  as  before. 


x 


The  fire  had  passed,  the  wind  had  changed  its 
course,  and  they  looked  out  upon  the  gray  morning 
of  disaster.  To  the  lake,  to  the  north,  and  south- 
ward as  far  as  eye  could  reach,  was  smouldering 
ruin.  In  the  distant  west,  buildings  and  steeples 
traced  their  outlines  through  the  misty  smoke. 
Around  them,  scorched  grass,  shriveled  evergreens, 
shattered  sculpture  and  the  bare  walls  of  the  man- 
sion, enclosed  a  narrow  strip  of  lawn,  fresh  in  its 
verdure  and  holding  in  its  midst  the  lowly  green- 
house, with  shivered  pane  and  blistered  paint,  its 
flowers  smiling  through  the  glass. 

NOTE. — On  a  block  bordered  by  Clark  street  and  near  Chestnut 
(after  the  great  fire  of  October,  1871),  a  greenhouse,  but  thirty  feet 
from  the  ruined  walla  of  a  large  brick  mansion,  stood  intact,  except 
the  cracked  glass  and  blistered  paint.  The  flowers  were  but  little 
affected  by  the  heat. 


CHAPTER  XII. 


JUDGE   HERON'S   NARRATIVE. 

HAD  received  another 
invitation  to  visit 
Haldon,  this  time 
from  himself,  I  was 
pleased  to  accept  it, 
not  only  for  his  sake, 
but  also  to  gratify  a 
desire  to  acquire  a 
deeper  knowledge  of 
insanity  and  its 
causes.  Upon  my 
first  visit  I  had  ob- 
served that  my  pre- 
vious impressions  of  Asylum  life  were  erroneous,  in 
whole  and  in  detail,  and  that  the  operation  of  in- 
sanity differed  entirely  from  the  popular  idea  of  its 
demonstrations. 

I  found  restraint  and  confinement  legalized,  but 
the  law  did  not  describe  insanity.  I  saw  it  defined  in 
the  lexicon  as  madness ;  but  I  had  seen  the  people 
around  me  in  gentle  conversation  and  friendly  action. 


18o  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

I  heard  an  orator  say,  "  Insanity  is  a  living  death," 
but  I  had  seen  hopes  and  aspirations  cover  the  glow- 
ing pages  of  the  monomaniacs'  manuscript ;  emotions 
of  joy  and  sorrow  upon  their  faces,  and  tears  of  sym- 
pathy in  their  eyes.  I  had  read  in  history  that  the 
madman  of  our  earlier  civilization  received  blows 
about  his  head,  or  a  sudden  fright ;  then  raved  about 
the  earth  with  glaring  eyes,  clenched  hands  and  rend- 
ing teeth.  He  was  put  into  a  mad-house  ;  covered 
with  chains ;  and  all  of  his  companions  were  the 
same  as  he. 

Later,  history  says,  the  lunatic  appeared.  The 
madmen  still  were  there,  but  excess  of  joy  or  sorrow 
brought  the  other.  The  doors  closed  upon  him  and 
he  was  put  in  places  where  the  maniacs  could  not 
seize  him.  He  jibbered  and  laughed,  shouted  and 
grimaced,  swung  his  arms  about  and  pointed  to  the 
moon.  His  home  was  called  a  "  Lunatic  Asylum," 
and  he  was  treated  kindly. 

Now,  others  come,  in  swelling  numbers,  with  all 
the  list  of  causes  for  their  entertainment  that  the 
brain  and  nerve  centers  can  suggest.  They  bring 
their  trunks,  their  pictures  and  their  books,  and  hail 
the  one  who  receives  them  with  unbroken  words  in 
sentences  of  reason.  He  courteously  conducts  them 
to  their  rooms  and  calls  their  habitation  "  Asylum 
for  the  Insane."  He  is  about  to  change  the  name 
10  "Hospital  for  Mental  Diseases." 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  13! 

There  are  no  chains  nor  ropes,  iron  nor  stays,  put 
upon  his  body;  neither  does  he  rend  nor  bite,  and 
never  grimaces  nor  points  towards  the  moon.  But 
he  has  need  of  care  and  watchful  eyes  are  constantly 
upon  him.  At  times,  his  trembling  body  cowers  in 
fear  ;  again,  his  eyes  flame  and  he  would  plunge  the 
homicidal  dagger  to  the  heart ;  now,  he  mourns  with 
melancholy  tears  and  seeks  to  waste  his  blood  in 
suicide.  The  lock  is  turned  upon  his  door  and  he  is 

left  alone,  without  the  means  of  harm.      Soon   he 

• 

appears  in  halls  and  groves,  and  talks  and  acts  as 

other  men. 

Whence  come  these  later  guests?    Monomania, 

Melancholia,  Hysteria,  and  all  their  nervous  brothers 
and  sisters.  I  will  ask  them,  "What  is  insanity,  and 
why  did  it  come  to  you?" 

I  arrived  upon  a  Christmas  day,  and  Dr.  Peters 
said  to  me  that  Haldon  was  improving  and  that  his 
friends  might  hope  for  his  recovery.  The  serenity 
of  mind  in  which  I  would  find  him  might  be  disturbed 
at  any  time  by  the  recurrence  of  the  mania  from  which- 
he  suffered,  at  periods  not  uniform  in  their  recur- 
rence or  intensity;  if  I  conversed  with  him  I  must 
avoid  all  subjects  tending  to  emotion. 

Revolution  and  reconstruction  !  The  words  came 
to  my  tongue  in  exclamation  as  I  grasped  the  hand 
of  a  John  Haldon  whom  I  had  never  seen.  To  the 
flushed  and  disquiet  face  had  come  serenity  and  tints 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

of  health  ;  to  the  dulled  eye  of  stimulation,  the  fires 
of  comprehension ;  and  to  the  gross  form,  the  sym- 
metry of  manhood.  I  answered  his  questions  as  to 
everything  that  he  wished  to  know  from  the  outside 
world,  and  gave  him  a  cheerful  assurance  of  my  belief 
in  his  recovery  ;  wished  him  a  merry  Christmas,  to 
which  he  responded.  Placing  his  hand  over  his  eyes, 
as  if  to  hide  the  light,  he  took  my  arm  and  said, 
aside,  "  We  all  say  that  we  should  be  at  home  to-day. 
Come  to  my  room  ;  the  others  must  not  hear." 

He  sat  upon  the  bed  with  the  frame  of  iron  pipe  ; 
and  with  nervous  gestures  and  confidential  manner, 
he  said,   "  I  will  tell  you  all  about  my  trouble.     That 
terrible  weapon  is  still  in  my  head  with  the  fiend.     I 
would  not  care  for  him  if  he  would  lose  the  weapon. 
How  do  I  know  ?    I  can  shut  my  eyes  and  see  every- 
thing that  is  in  my  head.      I  will  tell  you  what  is 
there  and  what  he  does  with  the  weapon.     There  is 
a  man  in   there,  just  like  myself,  and  his  brain  is  my 
soul.      He  has  a  mouth,   and  a  stomach,   and  eats 
words  that  go  in  at  my  ears,  and  sights  that  go  in  at 
my  eyes,  and  the  fiend  stands  there  with  that  awful 
weapon  and  cuts  the  words  and  sights,  and  mutilates 
them  so  that  they  will  not  digest.  The  awful  weapon  ! 
Its  inner  edge  is  a  sickle  ;  its  outer  edge  is  a  scimitar  ; 
and  its  point  is  a  polished  needle." 

He  clasped  his  head  in  his  hands  and  gave  me  a 
wild,  earnest  look.     The  monomaniac  in  the  lower 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 


183 


ward  shouted  his  curse,  "  God  send  their  souls  to  hell !" 
and  a  strange  feeling  crept  over  me,  as  if  I  was  float- 
ing away  from  the  world  of  sense.  An  attendant  who 
was  passing  by,  noticed  Haldon  and  motioned  for 
me  to  come  from  the  room,  saying  afterwards,  "He 
is  in  his  delusions.  Sit  near  his  door  and  you  will 
hear  them." 

He  gave  no  heed  to  my  departure,  and  still  sat 
upon  the  bed  where  I  could  see  and  hear  him.  I  saw 
his  face  change  from  gladness  to  grief,  from  kindness 
to  flashes  of  murder,  then  assume  the  glory  of  rever- 
ence and  prayer.  He  took  me  with  him  into  the 
realms  of  his  mania. 

"Oh,  Christ!  this  is  your  day  of  joy,  and  I  am 
happy  with  you.  The  fiend  has  plunged  his  weapon 
through  the  thought.  I  curse  you  that  you  was  ever 
born,  and  sorrow  that  I  ever  knew  you.  Go  from  my 
thought.  I  hope  the  fiend  will  strike  you  down  and 
pierce  you  with  his  awful  weapon  as  he  has  done  to 
me.  I  shrink  not  from  you.  Leave  me  or  I  will  rend 
your  body  and  destroy  your  soul.  He  is  gone.  The- 
fiend  is  sleeping." 

He  stopped,  sat  long  in  thought,  and  then  began  : 

''  Oh,  beautiful  day !  God  help  me  enjoy  and  take 
my  love,  a  guerdon,  to  those  I  love,  to  those  who 
think  of  me.  Their  arms  should  be  around  me  and 
my  kiss  upon  their  lips.  My  hand  should  brush 
away  their  tears,  and — Hell  is  my  home,  for  that  will 


134  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

burn  the  fiend  and  melt  his  awful  weapon.  It  would 
be  a  peaceful  home,  for  fiends  without  could  never 
pierce  as  the  one  within  ;  and  all  its  flaming  horrors 
and  its  sulphurous  smoke  would  soothe  and  lull  to 
sleep." 

He  arose  and  paced  the  floor,  and  then  sat  again 
upon  his  bed. 

"  My  Christ,  I  pray  with  you  and  them — your 
prayer.  '  Our  Father  which  art  in  Heaven  ;  hallowed 
be  Thy  name ;  Thy  kingdom  come  ;  Thy  will  be 
done  on  earth  as  it  is  in  Heaven. '  There  is  no 
Heaven !  It  is  a  wish.  There  is  naught  but  fiends 
who  mock  and  weapons  that  cut  their  way  into  the 
soul  and  destroy  it,  that  it  need  not  Heaven." 

He  ran  his  fingers  through  his  hair  as  if  to  tear  it, 
and  then  grew  calmer. 

' "  Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread,  and  forgive  us 
our  debts  as  we  forgive  our  debtors. '  The  bread  is 
poison  and  feeds  the  fiend  who  rises  with  its  strength 
and  plunges  deeper  wounds  in  all  my  thoughts. 
Take  it  away  and  feed  me  upon  stifling  vapors  or 
the  fumes  of  alcohol.  These  would  choke  his  breath 
and  he  would  die.  Stay  !  the  awful  weapon  would  be 
there.  It  cuts  without  his  hand  to  guide  ;  cuts  when 
he  sleeps.  Can  aught  destroy  them  both?  God 
owes  debts  to  me  and  pays  me  not.  He  owes  me 
peace  and  joy,  but  sends  me  rage  and  sorrow,  and 
brings  a  fiend  who  stands  above  my  soul  and  wastes 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  135 

its  food  ;  who  mocks  me  when  I  turn  to  him  for  help 
and  bids  me  wait  and  die  ;  and  then  a  flaming  weapon, 
reaching  space,  will  pierce  my  soul  where'er  I  go  ; 
and  God  will  keep  its  edges  sharp,  and  smooth  its 
glittering  point." 

He  raised  his  hands  above  his  head,  and  tones  of 
anguish  filled  his  room  and  rang  along  the  corridor. 

"  Lead  us  not  into  temptation,  but  deliver  us  from 
evil."  ' 

His  clenched  hands  fell  to  his  side  and  the  strain- 
ing muscles  relaxed.  He  laid  his  head  upon  the 
pillow  and  slept.  A  smile  came  upon  his  face  that 
bore  the  peace  and  hope  of  Bethlehem. 


* 

# 


While  Haldon  slept  I  took  the  privilege  accorded 
me  by  Dr.  Peters,  to  converse  with  others  in  the 
ward  for  the  purpose  of  study,  and  approached  a 
man  who  sat  by  a  window,  seemingly  in  thought. 
He  told  me  that  he  was  a  Prussian  and  spoke  my 
language  with  a  purity  that  shamed  my  scholarship. . 
After  an  interchange  of  views  relating  to  subjects  of 
ordinary  thought,  he  recited  memories  of  college 
days  ;  referred  to  German  social  life  and  told  the 
story  of  its  movement,  illustrating  with  interesting 
episodes ;  then  dwelt  on  deeper  themes,  of  philosophy 
and  metaphysics.  He  overcame  my  weaker  argu- 
ment with  powerful  thought  in  sentences  of  sense. 
I  felt  that  I  had  erred  and  that  he  was  a  visitor. 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

When  he  left  me  I  questioned  an  attendant,  who 
said : 

"  He  is  a  patient  and  has  been  here  for  years — six 
or  thereabout.  He  is  a  very  intelligent  man,  but  he 
has  his  spells." 

Spells  !  Is  insanity  then  a  spell  ?  What  brings 
the  spell  ? 

Afterwards,  I  saw  the  Prussian  sitting  in  a  corner 
of  his  room,  upon  the  floor ;  his  head  between  his 
knees  and  his  hands  clasped  around  them,  moaning 
and  sobbing,  sighing  and  shedding  tears.  This  was 
a  spell.  Hours  passed,  and  he  was  still  sitting  as 
before,  moaning  and  shedding  tears. 

I  found  another  who  would  talk,  a  native  of  my 
own  State.  He  told  me  that  his  ancestors  came 
upon  the  Mayflower,  and  that  he  was  an  American, 
through  a  long  line  of  ancestry.  Education  claimed 
his  notice.  His  thoughts  were  deep  and  broad. 
Churches  were  mentioned.  With  eloquent  tongue 
and  sacred  thought  he  spoke  about  their  influence 
for  good.  His  speech  was  clean  and  had  the  phase 
of  schools.  He  drew  to  himself  an  audience  from  all 
about  the  ward,  and  with  pleasing  words  he  brought 
pleasure  to  all  who  listened. 

He  had  a  spell.  He  neither  sobbed  nor  moaned, 
and  did  not  sigh,  nor  shed  a  tear.  He  struck  a 
brother  patient  without  a  warning  word  ;  then  the 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  137 

attendants  conquered  him  and  strapped  him  to  the 
iron  bedstead. 

He  drew  upon  the  straps,  and  tried  to  break  away, 
but  when  he  found  they  would  not  yield,  he  filled 
the  rooms  and  corridors  with  threats  of  vengeance, 
a  horrid  talk  of  knives  and  guns.  He  cursed  and 
called  his  Maker  names,  and  shouted  his  imprecations 
to  all  his  friends,  in  the  language  of  the  slums.  Then 
he  was  quiet.  An  attendant  went  to  his  room 
unbuckled  the  restraints,  helped  him  to  his  feet,  and 
went  away.  He  came  into  the  corridor,  rubbing  his 
hands  and  wrists,  stretched  his  form  and  took  a  seat 
among  the  rest,  then  talked  and  smiled  as  he  had 
done  before.  Spells  are  not  all  alike.  Does  every 
nation  have  its  own  ? 

A  smiling  face.  A  rotund  form.  A  Napoleon  in 
attitude.  I  asked  the  Frenchman  if  he  spoke  Eng- 
lish. He  answered  that  he  did  ;  and  German,  Ital- 
ian or  Spanish,  as  well  as  French.  I  found  in  him  a 
boundless  knowledge  of  men  and  things  ;  a  history 
of  travels  and  a  chronicle  of  wars.  With  clear  de- 
scription and  intelligent  comment  he  showed  me 
through  the  world  and  took  me  upon  its  battle-fields. 
To  all  he  said,  he  politely  asked  my  superior  judg- 
ment to  tell  him  if  he  erred. 

As  I  talked  with  others,  he  came  to  me  as  another 
man,  and  said  that  I  had  insulted  him  and  must  apolo- 
gize. His  body  trembled  and  his  face  was  shining 


188  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

with  excitement.  He  swung  his  arms  and  worked 
his  fingers  in  nervous  contortions.  His  eyes  were 
clear  and  sparkling  and  danced  about  in  their  sockets. 
An  attendant  took  him  by  the  arm,  led  him  to  his 
room  and  locked  the  door  upon  him.  He  walked 
back  and  forth  before  his  bed,  almost  ran,  stamped 
his  feet  and  sputtered  in  mingled  languages  ;  then  he 
stood  by  the  lattices  and  threw  floods  of  impoliteness 
upon  me  in  his  native  tongue.  This  was  his  spell. 

Within  a  room  near  by  I  heard  the  jarring  con- 
sonants of  Scandinavia  roll  out  in  verses  of  myth- 
ology. A  scholar  from  the  chills  of  Norway,  large 
boned  and  muscular. 

He  told  me  that  he  had  finished  his  studies  and 
gone  from  home  to  see  the  world,  and  when  he 
reached  America  he  found  so  many  of  his  race  who 
were  needing  the  thought  and  guidance  of  those  more 
fortunate  than  they  in  culture  and  in  education,  that 
he  had  remained  and  built  them  schools  and  churches, 
and  taught  them  their  duties  to  the  country  of 
their  adoption,  its  people  and  its  laws  ;  that  they 
were  now  a  prosperous  folk  and  happy,  and  that  he 
was  repaid. for  all  his  care  and  zeal  in  their  behalf. 
When  he  was  thirty-five,  he  said,  strange  feelings 
came  over  him  at  times,  that  were  not  sicknesses, 
but  seemed  to  be  a  faltering  of  life.  He  wished  to 
work  again  among  those  he  loved,  and  hoped  that 
his  trouble  would  soon  pass  away. 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  189 

Even  as  he  spoke  the  muscles  on  his  face  grew 
rigid  ;  his  eyelids  covered  half  his  sight  and  stopped  ; 
the  blue  below  grew  pale  and  dull,  and  underneath,  the 
white  was  gleaming  pearl.  His  hands  came  up  before 
his  face  ;  his  joints  were  stiffened  and  held  them 
there  without  a  movement  ;  his  back  pressed  firmly 
on  his  chair,  and  his  legs  were  strengthened  as  if 
an  iron  tube  was  pushed  its  length  around  the  bones. 
He  sat  with  all  the  quiet  and  firmness  of  a  statue  ; 
the  statue  of  a  spell.  No  attendant  noticed  him. 
He  needed  nothing.  An  hour  passed  by,  and  again 
I  heard  the  fabled  story  of  Odin  and  of  Thor. 

Haldon  had  awakened,  but  the  time  had  arrived 
when  I  must  go  away,  and  I  left  him  with  a  promise 
to  see  him  upon  the  morrow.  I  noted  his  clear 
expressions  and  natural  speech,  and  had  faith  that 
Dr.  Peters'  hope  for  his  recovery  was  well  founded, 
notwithstanding  his  spells  and  terrible  delusions. 

As  I  thanked  the  Doctor  for  the  privilege  accorded 
me  for  observation,  he  handed  me  a  card  upon  which 
was  written  an  order  to  one  of  Haldon's  attendants 
directing  him  to  escort  me  to  the  evening  entertain- 
ment at  the  Amusement  Hall,  saying  that  I  would 
find  it  an  instructive  object  lesson  and  this  was  the 
best  opportunity  that  could  be  given  me  for  conver- 
sation with,  or  observation  of  the  female  patients. 

The  Amusement  Hall  is  connected  with  the  female 
department  and  is  used  by  the  more  quiet  patients, 


190  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

on  Sundays,  as  a  chapel,  when  ministers  of  different 
denominations  occupy  the  platform,  and  at  other  times 
as  a  place  for  social  reunions,  musical  entertainments, 
and  dancing.  As  this  evening  was  to  be  devoted  to 
dancing,  I  requested  the  attendant  to  present  me  to 
some  lady  of  intelligence  who  was  connected  with 
the  Asylum,  but  who  did  not  choose  to  dance.  This, 
because  I  wished  to  gain  all  the  information  possible 
in  the  limited  time  allowed  me. 

That  all  action  differed  from  that  of  my  expecta- 
tion, I  need  not  say  ;  but  that  I  should  find  myself  at 
home  in  social  surroundings  was  not  what  I  had 
thought.  In  nothing  was  the  gathering  much  infe- 
rior, and  in  some  things  vastly  superior  to  those  in 
which  the  outside  world  enjoy  their  pleasures. 

I  found  among  the  attendants  and  the  patients, 
character  and  culture,  intelligence  and  graceful  action  ; 
and  above  these,  kindness  and  regard  for  others. 
The  words  upon  the  panels  of  the  balcony,  Benevo- 
lence, Hope,  Charity,  Forbearance,  took  upon  them- 
selves a  deeper  meaning,  and  the  rays  of  light  from 
the  massive  chandelier  above  the  hall  seemed  to  centre 
their  glory  directly  on  them.  All  around  me,  I  saw 
the  motto  of  the  Asylum  in  moving  harmonies,  "  Do 
unto  others  as  you  would  that  they  should  do  unto 
you." 

Pleasant  visitors  mingled  with  the  others  as  a  part 
of  a  united  whole,  and  in  nowise  did  they  consider 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  191 

the  entertainment  to  be  an  exhibition  of  weakness, 
but  rather  an  effort  of  strength  to  help  materialize  the 
words  that  illuminated  the  panels  of  the  balcony. 

The  attendant  introduced  me  to  a  quiet  lady  who 
was  dressed  in  black,  with  no  ornaments,  except 
a  plain  gold  band  upon  a  finger  of  her  left  hand. 
When  she  was  thinking  she  turned  it  slowly  round 
and  round  with  the  thumb  and  finger  of  her  right. 
Always  when  she  ceased  to  talk,  the  thumb  and 
finger  sought  the  ring. 

As  I  took  my  seat  beside  her,  traces  of  care  and 
shades  like  sorrow  could  be  seen  about  her  face,  but 
as  the  strains  of  the  opening  march  sounded  through 
the  hall,  her  eyes  lighted  with  flashes  of  pleasure. 

The  lady  said  that  music  and  the  dance  brought 
rays  of  light  and  gleams  of  sunshine  into  the  dark- 
ness of  the  souls  around  us ;  dark,  when  the  light 
of  reason  showed  them  the  joys  and  ecstasies  afar  off 
where  they  could  not  reach ;  and  the  gloom  of  dark- 
ness, when  delusions  came  and  mingled  with  the 
reason  that  they  might  be  felt,  and  the  victim  know 
that  she  was  accursed. 

Her  voice  was  pleasing;  as  she  spoke  it  swelled 
in  unison  with  the  music,  but  a  shiver  mingled  with 
its  tones  that  sometimes  seemed  to  be  a  dread,  and 
then  a  sorrow.  I  thought  that  sympathy  had  at- 
tuned her  voice  to  the  suffering  that  had  surrounded 
her,  perhaps,  for  many  years.  I  told  her  that  I 


192  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

wished  to  know  the  inner  life  of  those  with  whom 
her  duties  gave  companionship ;  to  hear  their  words 
and  know  their  ways;  especially,  to  find  if  their 
moods  and  delusions  were  identical  with  those  of 
men. 

The  lady  said  that  woman's  woes  came  to  her  in 
greater  numbers  and  were  more  grievous  than  those 
of  men ;  that  her  burdens  were  all  of  theirs,  with 
others  that  they  knew  not  of.  Hysteria,  and  other 
forces,  kept  with  her  in  the  days  of  reason,  and  made 
her  seasons  of  quiet  worse  than  her  spells. 

I  asked  the  lady  to  tell  me  of  the  spells,  what  they 
were  and  what  had  caused  them.  She  said,  "God, 
only,  knows  the  cause." 

The  music  ceased,  the  dancers  left  the  floor ;  she 
rolled  the  band  of  gold  around  her  finger  and  looked 
at  the  empty  space  where  they  had  danced.  Another 
measure,  and  long  streams  of  dancers  moved  to  the 
rhythms  of  Germany.  Still,  she  looked  across  the 
floor  and  turned  the  ring.  The  waltz  was  over  and 
other  dancers  came.  The  lady  said  that  she  had 
forgotten  what  I  asked. 

"  O,  yes !  the  spells,  and  what  they  were." 

"  They  differed  much,"  she  said.  "Yes;  perhaps 
they  did  in  nationalities." 

She  had  seen  a  German  girl,  with  folded  hands 
upon  her  lap  and  streams  of  tears  pouring  from  her 
eyes,  sit  for  hours,  perhaps  a  day,  and  moan,  and  say 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  193 

• 

that  she  was  about  to  die,  and  ask  the  attendant  to 
dress  her  in  black  and  bury  her  under  the  willows 
where  the  leaves  could  drop  their  tears  upon  her 
grave.  Then  she  would  sob,  and  moan,  and  say 
that  death  was  terrible  to  one  so  young.  The  lady 
said  that  I  had  an  opportunity  to  see  her  when  she 
was  free  from  delusions,  as  she  was  near  us  in  the 
dance. 

I  heard  her  cheery  laugh  and  saw  the  tints  of 
health  amid  the  smiles  she  gave  to  those  around  her. 

The  lady  said  that  melancholy  seemed  to  be  pe- 
culiar to  the  insanity  of  the  German  woman,  as  she 
had  noticed  others,  not  so  young  or  so  vigorous  as 
this  one,  who  were  constantly  grieving;  and  as  I 
had  directed  her  attention  to  this,  the  action  of  other 
nationalities  came  to  her  memory. 

The  French  woman  having  her  full  reason  would 
be  vivacious  and  polite ;  while  under  the  influence  of 
spells,  she  would  range  about  the  ward  in  nervous 
antics,  with  excited  speech,  insult  the  others,  and 
oblige  her  attendants  to  put  her  in  her  room  and 
keep  her  there  until  she  was  quiet. 

Some  Scandinavian  women,  upon  occasions,  would 
be  seized  by  their  spells  while  conversing,  and  con- 
tort their  features,  then  stare  with  sightless  eyes, 
their  arms  and  bodies  soon  assuming  various  strange 
and  rigid  positions. 

"  The  American  woman,  did  you  say?" 


13 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

A  frown  came  upon  the  ladyls  face,  somewhat  of 
pain  and  much  of  sorrow,  with  a  tinge  of  reproach ; 
and  as  she  rolled  the  ring  upon  her  finger  and  looked 
out  among  the  dancers,  I  thought  she  was  displeased 
that  I  should  wish  to  know  about  the  delusive  actions 
of  her  countrywomen. 

Within  the  quadrille  near  by  us,  was  a  tall,  grace- 
ful woman  with  evidences  of  culture  and  education 
upon  her  face,  and  in  all  her  movements.  She  had 
been  sought  as  a  partner  by  some  of  the  most  gentle- 
manly visitors  and  attendants,  and  had  been  a  centre 
for  conversation  during  the  intermissions.  Her 
manner  gave  assurance  that  she  was  accustomed  to 
the  usages  of  good  society.  I  noticed  her  in  agreea- 
ble action  toward  others  in  the  set,  and  but  a  moment 
afterwards  she  pushed  her  partner  from  her  and  fol- 
lowed as  if  to  strike  or  do  other  injury.  He  caught 
her  by  the  wrists,  and  then  she  screamed  and  sat 
upon  the  floor,  and  tried  to  strike  him  with  her  feet. 
Three  of  the  attendant  ladies  went  to  her  and 
attempted  to  lift  her  up.  She  drew  her  hands  away 
from  her  partner,  caught  their  dresses  and  tore  them, 
and  tried  to  scratch  and  bite  their  hands.  The  music 
ceased.  She  was  finally  conquered.  As  she  was 
carried  through  the  hall  and  out  at  the  door,  she  cov- 
ered all  the  audience  with  epithets  and  reproaches. 

After    she    had  gone,  the    music  and  the  dance 
were  resumed.     The  lady  stopped  rolling  the  ring, 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  195 

turned  to  me  and  said,  "  You  have  the  answer ;  she 
is  an  American." 

I  asked  the  lady  if  any  women  were  there  because 
of  the  use  of  wine  or  other  alcoholic  drinks,  and  she 
said  there  were,  and  that  some  were  born  with  the 
taste  of  alcohol  upon  their  tongues.  One  was  near  us 
who,  if  she  could  be  induced  to  tell  her  story,  would 
cause  me  horror  as  she  traced  her  life.  She  would 
never  tell  it  to  a  stranger,  but  if  I  cared  to  listen,  the 
lady  said  that  she  would  take  the  woman's  place  and 
tell  me  the  story  as  it  had  been  told  to  her. 

"  My  mother's  father  was  a  drunkard.  Her  life 
was  filled  with  care  until  she  was  married  to  my 
father.  No  wine  was  ever  in  my  mother's  home. 
My  father  never  used  it.  When  I  was  seven  years 
of  age,  and  while  playing  with  a  schoolmate  in  the 
dining-room  of  her  home,  I  saw  a  bottle  upon  the 
sideboard,  and  beside  it  stood  a  glass.  I  read  upon 
the  label  of  the  bottle  'V.  O.  P.'  I  asked  my  play- 
mate what  this  meant.  She  answered  that  she  did 
not  know  its  meaning,  except  that  it  was  a  kind  of 
wine  which  her  father  drank  at  the  table.  She  had 
tasted  it,  but  the  taste  was  unpleasant  and  she  could 
not  know  why  her  father  should  wish  to  drink  it. 
Impelled  by  childish  curiosity,  I  poured  a  little  into 
the  glass,  and  as  I  inhaled  its  perfume  I  knew  it  was 
the  unknown  thing  for  which  I  had  longed  since  my 
babyhood.  I  filled  the  glass  and  drank.  I  was  about 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

to  fill  it  again,  but  my  playmate  checked  me,  and 
called  a  servant  who  took  the  wine  from  me  and 
locked  it  in  the  side-board.  When  my  mother  knew 
of  this,  she  took  me  in  her  arms  and  tried  to  speak 
to  me,  but  her  voice  was  choked,  and  I  felt  her  tears 
drop  among  the  curls  about  my  head  and  trickle 
down  upon  my  neck." 

The  lady  ceased  her  story  and  fixed  her  eyes  upon 
the  ring,  which  she  slowly  rolled  around  her  finger 
with  a  hand  that  trembled  and  could  scarcely  retain 
its  grasp.  As  I  turned  from  her  and  looked  out  to 
the  dancers,  they  seemed  to  be  amid  a  mist,  and  the 
lancers  music  throbbed  among  them  in  sobs  and 
plaintive  strains. 

Soon  the  lady  touched  my  arm  and  said  to  me  that 
she  would  tell  the  rest 

"In  all  my  girlhood  days  I  had  no  thoughts  of 
wrong  but  this,  that  I  would  gratify  my  desire  for 
wine  or  other  drinks,  though  all  the  world  should 
frown  upon  me.  For  this  I  heeded  not  my  father's 
command  nor  my  mother's  prayers.  My  school  days 
passed  ;  then  in  society  a  flattering  attention  was 
given  me,  for  I  was  fair  and  the  mistress  of  many 
accomplishments.  One  came  to  me  who  touched  my 
heart,  who  laughed  when  told  that  wine  would  lead  to 
wrong.  I  went  with  him  to  social  gatherings,  to 
theatres  and  balls.  One  night,  after  an  opera,  I 
went  with  him  to  a  popular  cafe.  With  our  supper 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  197 

my  escort  ordered  wine.  Upon  the  label  of  the  bot- 
tle were  the  letters  that  held  my  childish  curiosity. 
I  drank  with  him.  He  urged  another,  and  I  drank ; 
then  others.  I  thought  that  ecstacies  were  in  the 
bottle's  depths,  but— Oh,  God  !  " 

A  look  of  pain  was  on  the  lady's  face,  that  had  the 
seeming  of  a  sudden  sickness.  As  I  touched  the 
fan  upon  her  lap,  she  pushed  my  hand  away  and 
resumed  her  story. 

"  That  day  I  was  the  angel  of  a  home  ;  the  next,  a 
thing  of  shame.  I  could  not  bear  to  look  upon  my 
father's  face  nor  in  my  mother's  eyes,  and  made 
excuses  for  a  friendly  visit ;  then  took  the  train  and 
went  away  and  hid  myself  in  the  depths  of  the  great 
city  over  yonder.  I  drowned  my  thoughts  of  them 
in  wine ;  myself  I  cared  not  for.  Soon  came  dis- 
ease, the  Creator's  brand  of  shame.  I  went  to 
lower  places :  the  concert  room,  the  dance  house ; 
the  hovel,  and  the  street ;  from  its  gutters  men  took 
me  up  and  brought  me  here." 

"  She  always  ends  the  story  thus,  and  then  she 
says,  'Is  mine  the  blame?  I  have  asked  my  God 
and  he  has  told  me,  no!' 

"  The  most  of  those  about  us,"  the  lady  said,  "  are 
not  afflicted  with  insanity  until  middle  age,  and  then 
they  must  leave  their  homes,  perhaps  forever.  This 
is  a  direful  thought,  that  women  must  be  taken  from 
their  homes  and  those  whom  they  love  and  put  away 


198  TPF.    JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

in  places  where  the  only  joy  is  hope,  while  all  around 
their  lives  gathers  the  gloom  of  night.  In  the  dark- 
ness of  that  night  the  mother  prays  for  her  children 
to  come  and  take  her  from  the  demons  and  put  her 
among  the  angels  of  her  home ,  but  the  children 
cannot  hear.  The  daughter  calls  aloud  for  her 
mother  to  take  her  in  her  arms  and  sing  the  songs  of 
childhood  to  calm  the  raging  fear  that  fills  her  sleep- 
less nights  ,  but  the  mother  is  in  the  village  church- 
yard, and  the  tongue  that  sang  her  lullaby  is  dust. 
The  wife  pleads  for  the  husband's  arms  to  hold  her 
in  their  loving  folds,  and  shield  her  from  the  forms 
of  evil  that  gather  around  her  bedside  ;  to  take  her 
with  him  to  the  peaceful  light  of  their  own  fireside 
and  bring  her  babies  to  her  that  she  may  feel  their 
soft  faces  press  against  her  bosom." 

The-  dance  was  ended  and  the  strains  of  "Sweet 
Home"  floated  through  the  hall.  I  saw  a  tear  cling 
to  the  lady's  eyelashes,  then  draw  away  and  pass 
slowly  along  her  cheek  and  drop  upon  the  hand  that 
rolled  the  band  of  gold  upon  her  finger,  round  and 
round.  She  went  away  with  the  others,  and  I  talked 
awhile  with  the  attendant  who  came  with  me.  He 
told  me  that  the  lady  was  a  patient  who  had  been 
there  for  years  and  would  never  go  away  until  she 
was  taken  over  yonder  to  the  cypresses. 

A  new  face  came  to  my  vision.  Among  its  lines 
and  shades  I  traced  the  anguish  of  another  story. 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  199 

The  tear  glistened  with  another  light,  and  the  band 
of  gold  rolled  over  the  course  of  memories.  As  I 
walked  through  the  grove  fronting  the  Asylum,  the 
soft  moonlight  threw  lights  and  shadows  upon  the 
winding  walks,  that  took  the  forms  of  drapery,  out- 
stretched arms,  and  pleading  faces  that  gazed  upon 
me  from  their  beds  of  frosted  ice ;  from  far  above  a 
woman's  scream  pierced  through  the  chilling  air,  and 
all  around  me,  among  the  evergreens,  I  heard  the 
shivering  tones  of  the  lady's  voice. 

When  I  arrived  at  the  Asylum  the  next  morning, 
Haldon's  attendant  said  that  he  believed  my  Christ- 
mas visit  had  been  harmful,  as  Haldon  was  now 
joining  religious  action  and  Christmas  talk  with  the 
delusion  of  weapon  and  fiend. 

Doctor  Peters  decided  that  my  second  visit  should 
be  ended,  and  as  I  went  again  among  the  people  of 
the  city  I  thought  I  saw  the  inmates  of  the  Asylum 
walking  upon  the  streets. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


No  dreamer  she,  with  languid  air. 

VOLUME,*  pro- 
found and  statis- 
tical, shows  to  us 
that  tendency  of 
thought  is  an  an- 
cestral gift.  Be- 
liefs are  strength- 
ened by  inherited 
prejudice.  False 
beliefs  have  come 
from  the  savage, 
through  the  gen- 
erations of  civilization,  to  the  brain  of  the  otherwise 
enlightened  man,  and  grasp  his  intellect  with  all  the 
force,  with  modified  brutality,  that  held  the  savage 
mind  to  its  control. 

The  savage  man  said  that  woman  was  his  inferior 
and  oppressed  her.  She  bore  him  children  and 
nourished  them,  while  he  ranged  the  forest  and 


MoijtfordL 


» Gallon's  "Hereditary  Genius." 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  £01 

developed  bone  and  muscle.     His  belief  arose  from 
tests  of  physical  strength. 

The  civilized  man  added  other  indignities.  He 
asserted  that  her  mentalities  were  inferior  to  his  own 
endowment.  He  treasured  her  beauty  and  trained 
it  to  his  own  enjoyments.  He  adorned  her  to  the 
envy  of  his  fellows ;  shut  her  out  from  self-support  ; 
gave  her  bangles1  to  play  with,  then  taunted  her  that 
she  could  not  use  the  pen. 

The  enlightened  orator  steps  upon  the  platform 
with  the  same  false  belief  fastened  on  his  brain,  and 
constructs  his  argument  to  agree  with  it ;  then 
mourns  that  half  the  world  must  delve  in  the  mines 
of  thought  for  gems  to  dazzle  the  wondering  eyes  of 
the  other  half. 

The  enlightened  minister  stands  within  his  pulpit 
and  looks  out  upon  those  who  are  the  morality  and 
the  Christianity  of  his  flock ;  the  strength  and  sup- 
port of  his  religion  ;  and  trusts  that  Providence  may 
be  good  to  them,  as  they  are  weak  and  can  only  go 
as  they  are  led ;  can  only  see  as  they  are  directed,  * 
and  are  as  vines  twining  around  the  giants  of  intel- 
lectual forests. 

Not  wholly  enlightened  are  those  gentlemen  of 

the  platform  and  pulpit  who  still  have  traces  of  the 

barbarian  belief  in  their  brains.      Let  us  find  the 

truth  and  disturb  that  belief. 

The  only  reason  for  the  apparent  mental  superi- 


202  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

ority  of  man,  is  his  opportunity  for  the  exercise  of 
consecutive  thought  directed  to  the  accomplishment 
of  a  single  purpose. 

The  youth  meets  a  maiden  in  the  Academy.  Does 
he  take  all  the  honors  to  himself?  He  is  fortunate 
if  he  keeps  within  her  range,  and  consoles  his  failure 
with  another  false  belief  that  fastens  itself  upon  un- 
thinking minds,  namely,  that  a  woman's  brain  is  only 
capable  of  a  limited  knowledge,  and  that  she  receives 
it  quickly,  while  he  can  continue  in  mental  advance- 
ment through  life.  Let  us  enlighten  him. 

This  is  because  of  her  want  of  opportunity,  and 
not  because  of  her  lack  of  capacity. 

Both  marry.  He  puts  all  of  his  thought  and 
energy  into  one  business  or  profession,  and  develops 
his  intellectual  powers  by  the  training  derived  from 
consecutive  thought.  Her  thought  is  distracted  by 
the  demands  of  household,  society,  children,  and, 
may  it  please  you,  the  comfort  and  happiness  of  the 
one  who  is  now  drawing  away  from  her  in  mental 
culture  by  reason  of  his  concentrated  mental  effort. 
When  she  frees  herself  and  pursues  his  methods,  she 
stands  beside  him  in  intellectual  rank.  Journalist, 
writer,  lawyer,  whatever  mental  work  he  does,  so 
can  she  as  well. 

The  girl  who  has  completed  her  school  education 
stands  the  intellectual  equal  of  the  man  who  has  com- 
pleted his,  in  the  same  line  of  study.  She  is  trained 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  203 

in  consecutive  thought,  and  should  now — if  she 
intends  to  marry — put  that  quality  of  thought  upon 
the  problem  of  a  husband,  the  same  as  she  did  upon 
mathematics,  for  the  purpose  of  learning  correct 
results ;  and  if  she  be  not  in  haste,  marriage  need 
not  be  a  lottery. 

Not  by  training  only,  but  by  experience,  had  Jose- 
phine Haldon  acquired  the  habit  of  thought  that 
leads  to  just  and  reasonable  conclusions ;  and  as  she 
sat  in  the  parlor  of  her  temporary  home,  and  looked 
out  upon  the  driving  snow  as  it  whirled  among  the 
trees  and  over  the  evergreens  of  Union  Park,  she 
thought  of  the  flowers  that  were,  and  the  desolation 
that  now  covered  them,  and  that  a  life  might  be  read 
from  the  flowers  to  the  snow  and  chills ;  or  it  might 
develop  from  the  dreariness  of  winter  to  the  verdure 
and  foliage  of  summer.  Is  not  the  direction  within 
our  control  ? 

She  thought  of  Leslie  Montford  and  his  earnest 
pleadings  that  she  should  put  aside  the  coldness  that 
had  come  upon  her  love.  Her  love !  she  shivered  as" 
Judge  Heron's  words  came  to  her  memory;  then 
thought  of  Helen  Temple  and  her  warning,  "  Better 
to  build  you  a  hut  in  a  churchyard  and  commune  with 
the  dead,  than  to  be  in  the  arms  of  one  whose  soul  is 
dying,  day  by  day."  With  a  clear  knowledge  of  the 
life  that  degrades  womanhood,  all  woman  would 
dwell  alone  rather  than  accept  it.  The  great  good  of 


204  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

life,  is  to  give  and  receive  happiness.     This  is  of  the 
Divinity.     Thoughts  still  came. 

"  Why  should  a  woman  leave  a  sure  happiness  to 
follow  one  that  promised  to  be  greater,  unless  its 
enchantments  could  be  seen  as  a  certainty?  Should 
she  not  walk  in  paths  that  were  firm  to  the  foot- 
steps, even  if  the  flowers  grew  only  here  and  there 
along  their  borders  ?  If  the  chart  of  experience  that 
marked  the  paths  of  life  showed  a  danger  signal  upon 
the  entrance  of  one,  why  should  a  woman  put  her 
foot  upon  it  to  take  the  chances  of  escape,  where 
others  had  been  overwhelmed  ?  All  men  are  alike 
by  nature,  and  only  differ  in  the  conceit  with  which 
they  regard  their  power  to  resist  the  encroachments 
of  an  evil  which  they  tamper  with.  None  are  sure, 
but  those  who  never  touch  the  evil  and  abhor  it. 

"  He  saved  my  life*  He  gave  my  senses  all  that 
is  beautiful  on  earth.  If  I  give  myself  to  him  as  a 
recompense,  and  my  mind  and  soul  go  not  with  me, 
the  trust  of  one  is  betrayed,  and  the  life  of  the  other 
is  a  fear.  And  the  others  that  gather  around  our 
fireside  and  look  to  us  for  happiness — shall  I  mourn 
with  them  the  sorrows  that  may  be?  Better  to 
leave  them  in  the  realms  of  the  uncreated,  where,  if 
joys  are  not,  anguish  never  is. 

"He  tells  me  of  the  greenhouse  ;  of  his  content 
to  die  with  me  ;  of  the  joy  and  flood  of  love  which 
came  upon  him  when  he  knew  that  I  was  saved. 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  205 

Does  he  love  himself,  with  the  love  that  cleanses  from 
impurities  and  fits  him  for  the  love  that  I  could  give, 
but  which  is  now  unsatisfied  ?  or  is  he  thoughtless  of 
himself,  and  does  he  look  upon  our  betrothal  as  a 
rapture  of  the  heart,  and  upon  me  as  an  exemplar,  a 
monitor,  for  the  moral  conduct  of  our  family  ?  Does 
he  look  upon  our  danger  as  a  romance  of  love  ? 

"  The  romance  of  the  greenhouse  was  that  of  life 
or  death,  and  not  of  love.  The  love  that  lights  the 
pathway  to  the  end  has  no  romance.  The  truth 
shines  upon  its  impulses  and  the  mind  directs  its 
gratifications  and  restraints.  Thoughts  cluster  around 
its  cradle  and  give  the  nourishment  of  strength.  It 
is  trained  in  the  school  of  reason  and  its  abode  is  for- 
ever with  the  intelligences.  It  blends  the  two  in  one 
as  the  oceans  join  and  remain  together ;  not  as  the 
rills  unite  and  evaporate.  A  union  of  the  hearts 
and  minds  of  a  man  and  a  woman,  builds  a  home  where 
love  dwells  in  security  with  them  and  theirs.  A 
union  of  the  hearts  only,  spreads  a  tent  upon  the 
fields  of  passion,  while  the  mind  may  be  a  wanderer,  * 
seeking  its  approved  companion. 

"One  alone,  with  purity  of  thought  and  action; 
with  stability  of  character  and  exalted  principles  ; 
with  just  conceptions  of  duty  and  perfect  self-control, 
can  never  lead  the  other  and  the  family  to  that  unity 
which  gives  security  and  happiness.  Upon  the  sands 
of  this  belief  stand  the  crumbling  castles  of  ruined 


206  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

families.  My  father,  you  have  warned  me;  and 
Judge  Heron,  you  have  directed  me  aright." 

The  muffled  tinkle  of  sleigh-bells  coming  towards 
her  through  the  storm,  drew  her  attention  from  the 
train  of  thought  that  had  nearly  directed  her  mind  to 
a  final  decision,  and  as  the  fur-covered  sleigh  stopped 
before  the  door,  she  saw  Leslie  Montford  step  from 
it,  and  after  giving  some  directions  to  the  driver  he 
rano-  the  door-bell.  He  sent  the  maid  to  ask  her  if  she 

o 

would  give  a  part  of  the  afternoon  to  his  society,  and 
upon  her  assent  being  given  he  came  into  the  parlor. 

Since  the  morning  on  which  they  turned  away 
from  the  greenhouse  and  went  through  the  ashes 
and  ruins  of  a  burned  city  to  a  place  of  shelter  and 
reunion  of  family,  Montford  had  been  conscious  of  a 
change  in  the  thoughts  and  sentiments  of  Josephine 
towards  him.  He  had  supposed  it  to  be  occasioned 
by  the  troubles  and  anxieties  which  had  come  upon 
her,  and  that  they  had  diverted  her  mind  to  their 
contemplation ;  but  as  the  time  passed,  the  distance 
between  them  widened,  and  what  he  now  felt  in  her 
company  was  restraint  and  doubt. 

He  had  noticed  that  her  conversation  tended 
towards  what  he  thought  to  be  criticisms  upon  his 
acts  and  opinions,  and  especially  so,  regarding  the 
subject  of  social  enjoyments  and  the  use  of  wine  in 
connection  with  them.  He  had  always  treated  the 
subject  with  slight  consideration  and  with  something 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  £07 

of  annoyance  that  he  should  be  made  the  object  of 
its  application.  As  he  could  not  seriously  consider 
his  own  mild  indulgences  to  be  the  occasion  of  the 
estrangement,  he  had  questioned  the  usual  list  of 
probable  causes  for  a  reason,  from  the  timidity  of  a 
woman  to  her  fickleness,  and  found  no  conclusion. 
He  had  spent  the  previous  evening  in  her  company, 
and  upon  after-reflections,  was  so  forcibly  impressed 
with  a  danger  to  their  relations  that  he  resolved  upon 
an  immediate  and  pointed  enquiry. 

Along  with  his  doubts  and  perplexities  had  come 
the  conviction,  or  rather  belief,  that  he  was  the  in- 
jured one,  who  was  being  deprived  of  the  trust  and 
confidence  of  his  future  wife;  and  he  also  entertained 
the  idea  that  has  been  so  common  among  men,  but 
which  is  being  gradually  dispelled,  that  whatever 
caused  the  trouble,  his  was  the  right  to  decide  upon 
the  remedy  and  its  application. 

Josephine  was  surprised  that  she  should  be  put 
upon  the  defensive  at  the  first  stage  of  the  conversa- 
tion, for,  after  being  seated,  he  said  to  her : 

"Josephine,  there  has  been  a  change  in  your  man- 
ner towards  me,  a  withdrawing,  instead  of  a  closer 
bond  of  companionship,  as  I  had  hoped.  I  have 
examined  my  acts,  my  speech  and  my  social  qualities, 
and  have  thought  of  the  love  and  consideration  that 
I  have  shown  for  you ;  and  I  cannot  see  where  I 
have  in  anywise  failed  in  my  duty  to  you,  or  in  the 


208  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

requirements  of  a  woman's  love.  I  cannot  feel  that 
I  have  received  in  the  full  measure  that  I  have  given. 
And  I  do  feel  that  you  have  been  ungenerous  in 
granting  much  that  a  lover  asks  for.  I  wish  to  clear 
our  relations  of  doubt  and  constraint ,  and  I  feel  that 
upon  you  falls  the  duty  of  bringing  the  peace  and 
happiness  of  the  first  weeks  of  our  engagement.  I 
ask  you  to  confide  in  me  the  obstacles  that  may 
obstruct  you  in  the  fulfilment  of  that  duty,  to  the  end 
that  I  may  be  of  assistance  in  their  removal.  Jose- 
phine, I  love  you,  and  would  give  all  my  strength  to 
your  aid.  Do  you  love  me  as  this,  Josephine  ?  " 

"Raise  yourself  above  it;"  and  Judge  Heron's 
injunction  stilled  the  impulse  that  stirred  within  as 
she  looked  upon  the  pleasing  face  and  manly  form 
before  her.  For,  had  she  not  felt  his  kiss  upon  her 
lips,  and  his  arm  around  her,  as  he  drew  her  to  him 
when  the  words  that  made  her  his  came  from  her 
tongue  ? 

"  Leslie,  there  are  no  obstacles  in  my  way  upon 
the  path  of  duty.  No  strength  can  aid  me  to  give 
the  measure  of  your  love.  I  have  contemplated  the 
duties  that  I  owe  to  you  and  to  those  who  might 
walk  through  life  with  us  ;  and  those  you  owe  to  me 
and  them.  I  believe  that  I  comprehend  them  all. 
I  have  examined,  not  my  acts  and  speech,  or  social 
qualities,  but  myself  and  you,  the  higher  properties 
of  our  character  and  thought,  to  know  if  there  is  that 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  £09 

within  us,  established  and  secure,  which  will  bring 
us  happiness  and  unity  of  life  and  purpose.  My 
search  is  ended.  You  are  not  what  I  had  thought. 
I  am  dismayed  and  would  turn  back." 

"Would  this  be  justice  to  me,  Josephine?  Did 
you  not  tell  me  that  you  loved  me  ?  Can  love  do  so 
great  a  wrong  ?  I  cannot  give  you  up.  What  have 
I  done?" 

What  is  love?  Judge  Heron's  definition  swept 
through  her  mind,  and  Montford's  impulsive  ques- 
tions showed  her  its  truth.  As  she  never  before  had 
seen,  she  now  saw  the  material  reaching  for  its  grati- 
fication and  striking  down  in  its  eagerness  all  the 
barriers  raised  by  thought  for  the  protection  of  the 
soul.  An  argument  with  this  were  fruitless,  and  she 
said  to  him : 

"  I  can  only  answer  your  last  question,  and  make 
its  application  to  our  relations  in  life.  You  have 
used  that  which  your  own  judgment  condemns,  and 
you  have  not  the  excuse  that  you  are  ignorant  of  its 
effects.  You  have  allowed  an  indulgence  for  which 
all  men  who  patronize  make  excuses  and  lower  them- 
selves to  the  humiliation  of  apology.  You  have 
injured  your  mental  and  moral  standing  with  your- 
self, and  as  you  fail  in  your  duties  to  yourself,  so  will 
you  in  your  duties  to  others.  You  have  taken  that 
which  never  gave  sustenance  to  a  single  elevating 
thought,  no  inspiration  to  an  exalted  purpose,  and 


210  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

no  aid  to  a  higher  and  better  life.  You  have  turned 
from  me  and  taken  that  to  yourself  which  degrades 
your  thoughts  of  me  and  all  my  sex;  puts  us  upon  a 
level  with  the  food  you  eat,  and  the  wine  you  drink  ; 
and  shuts  from  your  sight  the  beauties  of  our  com- 
panionship. You  have  put  that  into  your  brain  which 
helps  to  lower  the  intellectual  average  of  mankind, 
and  the  world,  as  it  advances  in  mental  achievements, 
will  look  upon  you  as  a  hindrance  and  not  a  help. 
You  have  drunk  that  of  which  you  are  ashamed  and 
you  dare  not  tell  the  thought,  speech  or  action,  in- 
spired by  its  influence;  that  which  no  one  uses  with 
a  clear  conviction  of  right,  but  which  puts  upon  the 
otherwise  honorable  tongue  the  excuses  and  evasions 
of  falsehood." 

"  Josephine,  love  is  all-forgiving.  If  I  refrain,  can 
you  not  forget  ?  Our  obligations  bind  us  to  each 
other  and  demand  fulfilment." 

"A  fear  of  the  future  is  an  ever-present  calamity. 
If  he  cannot  remove  this,  he  has  already  failed  in  his 
obligations  to  you."  Again  Judge  Heron's  words 
gave  greater  strength  to  her  resolution. 

"  Mr.  Montford,  the  coquetry  of  a  woman  is  no 
more  harmful  than  the  dalliance  of  a  man  with  wine. 
Her  incontinence,  no  more  degrading  in  its  effects 
than  his  drunkenness.  If  I  had  taken  the  first  stap 
towards  that  degradation,  would  your  love  forgive 
me,  or  would  your  obligation  hold  you  to  its  fulfil- 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  211 

ment  upon  my  promise  to  refrain  from  other  steps 
downwards?  You  would  tell  me  that  my  acts  indi- 
cated tendencies  ;  that  our  future  life  together  was  an 
uncertainty.  You  would  point  me  to  the  ruined 
homes  about  us,  caused  by  woman's  instability ;  to 
the  blush  of  shame  upon  the  husband's  face  when  the 
finger  of  society  pointed  to  his  wife.  With  the  justice 
of  right,  you  would  bid  me  go  my  way  and  leave  your 
manhood  uncontaminated. 

"  With  the  same  right  of  application  I  judge  your 
tendencies.  Your  acts  justify  me.  I  feel  the  uncer- 
tainty of  our  future,  over  which  clouds  have  already 
gathered.  I  point  you  to  the  ruined  homes  and 
lives  about  us,  caused  by  the  use  of  alcohol ;  to  the 
blush  of  shame  upon  the  face  of  the  wife  when  society 
points  a  finger  at  her  husband  and  calls  him  a  drunk- 
ard ;  and,  with  the  same  justice  of  right,  I  ask  you  to 
go  your  way  and  leave  my  womanhood  undefiled." 

The  driving  snow  that  beat  against  the  face  of  Les- 
lie Montford,  as  he  went  towards  his  home,  was  not 
as  cold  as  the  chill  that  came  over  his  heart,  when  he 
thought  of  the  noble  girl  whom  he  had  lost 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


EAR  the  close 
of  the  Winter's 
social  season,  a 
part  of  the  in- 
telligence and 
culture  of  Chi- 
cago had  re- 
ceived an  invi- 
tation to  attend 
an  evening  re- 
ception at  the 
home  of  a 
noted  f a  m  i  1  y 
of  wealth  and 
education.  Among  the  other  guests  who  accepted 
came  a  debutante,  eager  in  enquiry  and  frank  in 
impulsive  ideas  ;  her  cousin  of  the  second  season, 
who  was  becoming  wiser  ;  and  their  chaperon,  who 
was  a  lady  of  tact  and  sense.  Of  this  she  gave 
evidence  as  she  arranged  herself  and  her  charges  in 
a  comfortable  position  in  the  reception  parlor  near 
the  easy  chair  in  which  Judge  Heron,  who  was  a 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  213 

relative  of  the  family,  had  seated  himself,  and  within 
easy  conversational  distance. 

They  had  arrived  at  an  early  hour  that  the  debu- 
tante might  observe  all  that  could  be  seen  or  heard 
during  the  entire  entertainment,  and,  as  the  chaperon 
was  immediately  involved  in  a  discussion  with  the 
Judge,  she  employed  her  time  in  noting  arrivals  and 
making  aside  comments  upon  them  to  her  cousin  of 
the  second  season.  From  this  to  gossip  was  an  easy 
grade.  As  they  became  absorbed  in  the  luxury  of 
personalities,  they  raised  their  voices,  and  Judge 
Heron  heard  the  debutante  say  : 

"  She  broke  the  engagement  just  for  that  ?  How 
idiotic!  He  is  the  great  desirable  of  his  circle." 

Then  the  cousin  said  : 

"Since  entering  society  I  have  seen  a  great  deal 
of  that,  and  I  cannot  say  that  she  is  idiotic,  or  even 
foolish.  Last  summer,  while  we  were  at  Geneva 
Lake,  a  party  of  young  men  from  Chicago — we  know 
some  of  them,  too — "  here  she  inclined  toward  the 
debutante  and  spoke  in  undertones,  and  then  re-  - 
sumed,  " — came  there  for  an  outing  and  occupied  a 
little  cottage  but  a  short  distance  from  ours.  They 
had  wine  and  beer,  and  things  of  that  sort  came  to 
them  by  express ;  and  of  all  the  foolish  actions  you 
ever  heard  of,  day  and  night — why!  I  would  not 
marry  one  of  them  if  he  was  worth  a  million."  Here 
she  again  inclined  toward  the  debutante.  "And  I 


214  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

had  always  thought  that  he  was  so  nice,  but  after  I 
heard  him  sing  that  song — well,  I  avoid  him  now." 

"Nonsense!"  said  the  debutante;  "nice  young 
men  get  wild  sometimes,  and  what  is  the  harm  if 
they  are  correct  after  marriage  ?  " 

"  Yes,  my  dear,  if — "  said  she  of  the  second  season. 
"How  are  you  to  be  informed  of  what  they  do  after 
marriage  ?  They  try  the  best  they  can  to  conceal 
their  depravity  from  us  before  marriage ;  afterwards, 
they  have  the  help  of  loving  wives  who  shield  them 
and  tell  falsehoods  for  their  sake.  You  need  not 
make  big  eyes  at  me,  my  dear.  I  said  falsehoods, 
and  that  is  what  it  is.  I  have  heard  many  things 
since  I  entered  society.  You  know  George ?"  An- 
other inclination  toward  the  debutante,  who  eagerly 
bent  her  head  to  listen.  "And  the  men  who  came 
home  with  him  were  obliged  to  help  him  to  his 
room,  and  still,  his  wife  told  my  mother,  when  she 
made  a  call  the  next  day,  that  he  was  confined  to  his 
room  with  a  severe  cold,  although  she  is  a  good, 
truthful  woman,  in  all  else.'1 

"Well,"  said  the  debutante,  "I  do  not  believe 
that  she  knows  how  to  manage  a  husband.  I  would 
make  him  love  me  so  much  that  he  could  not  possibly 
do  such  a  thing." 

The  cousin  of  the  second  season  laughed  outright 
and  heartily  at  this  remark.  The  chaperon  put  a 
finger  on  her  shoulder  and  said  : 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  215 

"  Do  you  forget  ? " 

Judge  Heron  came  to  her  aid  by  saying: 

"The  laugh  is  not  untimely  and  savors  more  of 
thought  than  levity,  which  assures  me  that  the  young 
lady,  in  her  social  studies,  has  not  forgotten  to  observe 
the  indications  that  point  directly  to  her  future  do- 
mestic status,  and  has  a  keen  appreciation  of  the 
probabilities  that  a  woman's  love  can  make  but  slight 
headway  against  the  current  of  a  man's  habits  and 
tendencies ;  and  that  as  a  man  is  before  marriage  so 
he  will  be  after  ;  with  a  chance  that  upon  the  removal 
of  the  restraints  which  he  places  upon  himself  for  the 
purpose  of  making  a  coveted  alliance,  he  will  intensify 
his  persistence  in  following  his  inclination. 

"It  also  assures  me — begging  the  pardon  of  the 
younger  lady,  who  will  have  future  occasion  to  modify 
her  views,  or  even  to  discard  them  entirely  and  to 
adopt  others — that  the  more  thoughtful  young  ladies 
are  coming  to  look  upon  the  marriage  relation  as  a 
condition  of  fact,  rather  than  as  a  creation  of  romance ; 
and  my  young  friend  is  justified  in  treating  with  levity 
any  suggestion  that  she  or  her  sisters  can  create  a 
domestic  paradise  with  any  material  which  may  be 
at  hand." 

The  chaperon  here  asked  the  cousin  of  the  second 
season  of  whom  they  had  been  speaking,  and  upon 
being  told  what  inspired  the  conversation,  she  said 
to  Judge  Heron,  "It  was  a  display  of  common  sense 


210  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

that  should  be  a  beacon  light  for  the  guidance  of  all 
marriageable  girls  who  are  walking  with  uncertain 
steps  towards  the  life  from  which  there  is  no  turning 
back,  without  disgrace  and  sorrow,  and  in  which,  if 
it  be  not  one  of  happiness,  there  is  no  consolation 
but  repentance.  Examples  of  this  repentance  are 
altogether  too  common,  even  among  the  best  of  peo- 
ple, and  it  is  fully  time  that  young  ladies  should  be 
making  enquiries  as  to  the  causes  which  may  seriously 
affect  their  future  welfare." 

Judge  Heron  said : 

"  All  young  ladies,  or  I  would  speak  more  properly 
were  I  to  say,  all  women,  can  have  more  control  over 
the  destinies  of  their  own  future  and  the  acts  of  men 
in  relation  to  them,  than  they  have  as  yet  exercised  ; 
that  is  to  say,  if  they  act  in  unison.  Let  us  see.  If 
the  same  condemnation  was  meted  out  to  the  man 
for  his  misconduct,  and  in  the  same  positive  and  inex- 
orable manner  that  it  is  to  the  woman,  he  would  be 
held  under  the  identical  social  and  moral  restraints 
which  govern  her.  There  is  an  unwritten  but  recog- 
nized law  among  honorable  men,  that  one  shall  not 
associate  with  a  woman  who  has  dishonored  her  sex.  If 
this  law  was  applied  by  women  with  the  same  rigor  of 
enforcement,  and  with  like  penalties,  to  the  other  sex, 
against  the  drink  which  tends  to  reduce  manhood 
to  like  degradation,  then  would  the  man  strive,  as  the 
woman  now  does,  to  present  to  society  a  clean  record 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  217 

of  action  ;  and  it  is  within  the  power  of  women  to 
make  this  application  and  enforce  the  penalties. 
Unyielding  condemnation,  which  he  metes  out  to 
her,  would  restrict  his  indulgence.  Social  ostracism, 
which  he  applies  to  her,  would  be  a  warning  to  aspir- 
ing youth  that  would  not  pass  unheeded.  Denial  of 
companionship,  which  is  another  penalty  inflicted  by 
man  upon  the  erring  woman,  could  be  placed  upon 
him  with  all  the  potency  of  reformation?  Refusal 
of  marriage,  which  he  applies  with  universal  force 
against  her,  would  hold  him  from  evil  during  the  age 
when  habits  are  formed.  This  she  can  exercise 
when  she  will  look  upon  the  married  life  as  a  reality 
(begging  your  pardon,  Madam,  as  you  and  I  know 
it),  and  learns  that  mental  approval  is  the  only  safe- 
guard to  show  her  the  paths  of  peace  and  happiness 
through  that  life  ;  that  love  is  a  material  impulse  that 
dwells  with  us  all  and  tends  to  haste  and  indiscretion." 
The  hum  of  conversation  about  them  was  suddenly 
stilled  as  a  couple  came  into  the  reception  parlor  who 
attracted  more  than  usual  attention,  and  to  whom, ' 
after  their  courtesies  to  the  entertainers,  several  guests 
pressed  forward  and  gave  greeting.  Among  the 
others  were  the  chaperon  and  Judge  Heron.  The 
cousin  of  the  second  season  inclined  towards  the 
debutante  and  said,  "They  are  Josephine  Haldon  and 
Doctor  Horace  Morton." 


CHAPTER  XV. 


HADED  cove 
within  the  shore 
of  Geneva 
Lake.  A  bright 
July  afternoon. 
A  soft  breeze 
rippling  the 
water  and  weav- 
ing its  surface 
into  glittering 
meshes.  A  lady 
reclined  upon 
the  sloping  pebbles  at  the  edge  of  the  shade  thrown 
by  a  group  of  willows,  and  near  the  tiny  breakers  that 
splashed  close  to  her  feet.  A  yacht  that  had  sailed  into 
the  entrance  of  the  cove  and  was  rounding  upon  a 
return  tack,  its  white  sails  waving  lightly  in  the  face 
of  the  gentle  wind  ;  and  as  it  swayed  and  settled  upon 
its  course,  the  melody  of  a  boat-song  came  floating 
across  the  water  from  the  gay  party  on  board.  The 
reclining  lady  took  up  the  dying  strains  and  sent  them 
in  silver  tones  among  the  deep  shades  behind  her. 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  219 

"A  scene  of  beauty,  and  a  song  of  enchantment." 

The  exclamation  startled  the  lady,  and  as  she  hur- 
riedly arose  and  looked  behind  her  she  saw  a  gentle- 
man dressed  in  yachting  costume,  and  standing  upon 
the  edge  of  the  narrow  beach  at  the  end  of  a  path 
leading  into  the  grove ;  then  she  looked  along  the 
shore  of  the  cove  and  called  anxiously : 

"Norah!   Norah  ! " 

The  gentleman  hastened  to  quiet  her  apprehen- 
sions by  saying,  "  I  ask  your  pardon,  Miss,  my  words 
were  involuntary,  but  had  I  seen  your  face  I  fear  that 
I  should  have  given  them  greater  emphasis.  It  is  a 
beautiful  scene,  and  you  gave  the  song  a  greater 
enchantment.  I  trust  that  you  will  forgive  me." 

"  This  is  so  unexpected  tome,  and — and — you  are 
a  stranger  to  me,  sir." 

"  I  will  rely  somewhat  upon  the  greater  social  free- 
dom allowed  to  watering  places  and  seaside  resorts, 
and  presume  upon  your  indulgence  by  introducing 
myself.  My  name  is  Montford.  I  reside  in  Chicago 
and  am  in  business  there." 

"  Is  it  somethin1  ye  wanted  wid  me,  Missus  ?  I  was 
jist  a  little  way  in  the  woods  beyant,"  and  Norah 
came  briskly  down  the  path  from  the  grove. 

"  Only  to  know  where  you  were,  Norah,  and  that 
you  were  not  far  away,"  said  the  lady. 

"  It's  talkin'  wid  mesilf  I'll  be  the  rist  av  the  day, 
I'm  thinkin',"  and  Norah  looked  over  Montford's 


220 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 


yachting  costume,  from  the  blue  hat  ribbon  to  the 
flannel  bells  that  covered  his  shoes.  "  I'll  go  back 
beyant." 

"  My  housekeeper,  Mr.  Montford,"  said  the  lady, 


A  SCENE  OF  BEAUTY,  AND  A  SONG  OF  ENCHANTMENT." 

after  Norah   had  gone    away.      "She  is  somewhat 
familiar,  having  been  with  me  so  long." 

"  I  can  infer,  Miss,  that  Geneva  is  your  home,  and 
that  all  this  beautiful  scenery  is  a  charm  of  your  daily 
life." 

"  It  is  a  daily  charm,  Mr.  Montford,  but  my  home 
is  not  here,  except  for  the  summer.  I  cannot  feel  that 
I  have  a  home  since  my  husband  died." 

'  Then  you  are  a ;   I  ask  your  pardon,  Madam. 

I  was  thoughtless." 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  221 

"  Yes,  Mr.  Montford,  a  widow,  as  you  were  about 
to  say,  and  I  can  add,  a  lonely  one,  as  our  life  was 
all  that  lovers  dream.  His  memory  has  kept  with 
me  during  the  two  years  since  he — since  he  went 
away.  My  mother  urged  me  to  put  it  aside,  and  I  came 
here  where  I  can  see  pleasant  sights  and  pleasnnt 
people.  Even  if  I  am  acquainted  with  none  of  them, 
they  direct  my  thoughts  away  from  memories  that 
some  time  during  my  life  must  be  stilled,  if  not 
entirely  lost." 

The  shade  of  sorrow  drew  Montford's  sympathy, 
and  her  beauty  intensified  it.  He  thought: 

"  She  is  lonely  ;  an  hour  is  little  to  me  ;"  and  point- 
ing to  a  seat  within  the  grove,  proposed  that  they  go 
to  it  and  sit  awhile.  She  gave  her  assent,  and  as 
they  walked,  she  said  : 

"  Among  the  many  things  of  life,  for  which  we 
should  be  grateful,  is  that  time  modifies  all  trouble, 
and  the  companionship  of  others  tends  to  direct  our 
thoughts  to  future  pleasures." 

As  he  talked  with  her,  his  words  of  sympathy  soon ' 
changed  to  sentences  of  cheer  and  descriptions  of 
pleasant  scenes,  and  later,  the  echo  of  her  silvery 
laughter  filled  the  grove  as  he  related  to  her  the  his- 
tory of  ludicrous  experiences.  She  had  not  spoken, 
except  to  give  assent  to  his  expressions,  or  make 
suggestions  aiding  his  efforts  to  entertain  her. 
An  hour  passed,  and  then  another,  and  still  he 


222  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

remained  with  her  in  the  bewildering  fascination  that 
draws  a  man  to  an  appreciative  woman,  who  is  inter- 
ested, beautiful,  and  a  stranger.  The  sun  went 
behind  the  distant  forest,  and  he  was  aroused  to  the 
action  of  the  forgotten  world  by  the  laughter  of  the 
yachting  party,  who  had  made  a  landing  and  came  in 
a  merry  group  through  the  grove  on  their  way  home. 
The  lady  noticed  the  deepening  shade,  and  with 
marked  anxiety  arose,  looked  about  the  grove,  and 
called  to  her  maid,  who  did  not  respond,  and  then  said 
to  Montford  : 

"  She  must  have  thought  you  an  acquaintance  and 
gone  home,  supposing  that  I  would  not  need  her 
company  longer." 

"  I  will  gladly  escort  you  home,  Madam,  if  you  will 
accept ;  and  do  you  know  that  we  have  conversed  for 
hours,  and  that  I  do  not  as  yet  know  your  name  ? 
How  unthoughtful  of  me!" 

"  Of  me,  Mr.  Montford.  I  should  have  informed 
you  when  you  gave  me  yours,  but  I  was  somewhat 
disturbed  by  your  unexpected  presence.  I  am  Mrs. 
Lavosse,  and  I  must  rely  on  the  greater  social  free- 
dom of  watering  places  to  excuse  me  for  allowing  an 
acquaintance  to  continue  that  was  begun  in  such  an 
unconventional  manner.  My  cottage  is  but  a  short 
walk  distant.  I  must  go  now,  as  Norah  will  expect 
me  with  tea  ready.  Have  you  a  cottage  here  ?  Are 
you  married,  Mr.  Montford  ?  " 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  223 

"  No,  to  both  questions,  Mrs.  Lavosse,  and  I  stop 
at  the  hotel." 

She  took  his  arm  and  they  walked  up  the  path 
towards  her  cottage  in  silence.  To  him,  her  ques- 
tions had  brought  the  pang  of  loneliness.  He  saw 
in  the  far  past  the  face  of  Josephine  Haldon  smiling 
as  he  told  her  the  words  of  love.  He  saw  her  walk- 
ing by  his  side  in  purity  of  life  and  thought.  He 
saw  her  honor  as  a  rock,  high  above  the  storms  of 
passion  ;  her  character  untouched  by  the  breath  of 
suspicion.  He  saw  her  go  away  from  him  never  to 
return  ;  and  who  was  this  now  by  his  side,  beautiful 
in  face  and  form,  but  the  companion  of  a  chance 
acquaintance  that  Josephine  would  have  repelled 
with  scorn  and  indignation,  with  flashing  eyes,  and 
scathing  words?  With  great  effort  he  found  the 
words  of  courtesy  and  gentleness  to  rightly  end  his 
interview  with  Mrs.  Lavosse,  and  as  he  bade  her 
good- night,  at  the  porch  of  her  cottage,  she  said  : 

"  I   have   spent   the  most  pleasant  time  of  years 
with  you    to-day,   and    shall   always  welcome  your ' 
company;"  and  with  an  enticing  smile  that  touched 
his  vanity,  she  added,  "  You  are  the  first  to  lead  my 
thoughts  from  sorrow." 

Whenever  gloomy  thoughts  came  to  Montford's 
mind  and  held  him  to  the  contemplation  of  his  loss 
of  Josephine,  his  impulse  was  to  vigorous  physical 
and  mental  enjoyments  with  his  associates,  not  in  a 


224  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

way  that  courts  excesses  in  the  use  of  wine  or  other 
liquors,  but  which  indulges  as  a  means  of  excitement 
and  stimulation  for  the  purpose  of  adding  zest  to 
pleasures,  and,  perhaps,  bringing  forgetfulness  of 
everything  not  connected  with  the  present  and  its 
surroundings ;  and  sometimes,  when  memory  of  past 
events  came  over  the  banquet  table  or  into  the  social 
circle,  he  would  add  largely  to  the  usual  quantity  of 
wine,  and  on  some  occasions  had  found  himself 
noticeably  under  its  intoxicating  influence.  His 
chance  acquaintance  with  Mrs.  Lavosse  and  his 
involuntary  comparison  of  her  probable  character 
with  that  of  Josephine,  had  brought  upon  him  a 
sense  of  depression  made  more  vivid  by  the  reflection 
that  she  might  have  been  his  afternoon  companion 
as  an  honored  wife,  instead  of  the  one  who  had 
betrayed  him  into  an  acquaintance  of  a  doubtful 
character  by  her  beauty  and  charming  song,  and  he 
eagerly  sought  an  opportunity  to  cheer  his  drooping 
spirits  — a  bottle  of  wine  for  dinner  and  an  accept- 
ance of  a  late  champagne  supper  with  intimate 
friends,  which  lasted  well  into  the  morning  hours ; 
the  effect  of  all  this  being  a  demand  of  the  nerves 
for  gratification  during  the  next  day. 

On  the  forenoon  of  the  third  day  after  his  meeting 
with  Mrs.  Lavosse,  he  was  walking  about  the  boat 
landing  and  the  surrounding  groves  in  a  more  cheer- 
ful mood  than  usual,  and  as  he  came  down  upon  the 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  £25 

beach  he  saw  the  housekeeper,  Norah,  sitting  upon 
the  sloping  bank,  and  more  with  thought  of  diver- 
sion than  information,  asked  if  her  mistress  was 
about  the  groves. 

"  It's  not  goin'  out  av  marnin's,  she  is,  Mr.  Mont- 
ford,  but  a  practicin'  on  the  pianna,  an'  a  singin' 
songs,  she  is,  an'  the  way  she's  learnin'  thim  songs 
wud  astonish  ye  ;  an'  she's  playin'  one  this  marnin' 
about  me  love  a  lovin'  me,  an'  me  a  lovin'  me  love, 
or  some  sich  way,  I  dunno ;  but  it's  that  pretty,  I'd 
be  a-wantin'  to  kiss  her,  that  I  did,  an'  she's  that 
sweet " 

"You  appear  to  regard  her  very  highly,"  said 
Montford. 

"Regardin'  av  her  highly,  is  it,  Mr.  Montford? 
I  don't  know  if  it's  that  ye  call  it,  but  if  ye'd  been 
wid  her  foor  years,  like  mesilf,  I'm  thinkin'  ye'd  call 
it  somethin'  warmer  thin  that,  an'  she's  had  nobuddy 
but  mesilf  to  love  sence  her  husbin'  died,  two  years 
beyant,  an'  she's  had  no  childer,  an'  she's  that  lovin' — " 

"  Perhaps  she  will  marry  again,  and — " 

"  Marry  ag'in,  is  it?"  interrupted  Norah.  "She'll 
not  marry  widout  love,  an'  she's  not  done  wid  her 
husbin'  yet — a-lovin'  av  him,  if  he  do  be  dead — an' 
they's  lots  av  min  come  to  console  wid  her,  an'  they 
didn't  come  but  the  wanst,  ayther  ;  an'  they  was  nice 
min,  too,  some  av  thim  rich,  but  she  wouldn't  listen, 
an'  she  told  me — only  yister  avenin' — that  she's  niver 

15 


226  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

see  but  the  one  man  'cipt  her  husbin'  that  she  felt  a 
bit  av  love  for,  an'  she  said  she  belaved  that  love 
kim  a  shinterin'  acrast  the  water,  an'  all  thim  nice 
ways,  suddint  like,  an'  a  woman  couldn't  help  it  if  it 
tuk  her  aff  on  serryfin's  wings,  an'  sich  langwidge, 
an'  said  that  ye  was  that  nice,  an  eddicated — Mr. 
Montford,  it's  goin'  home  I  must  be  doin'  right  aff. 
Me  missus  always  told  me  when  me  tongue  got  a 
goin'  it  run  away  wid  me  sinsibleness,  an'  it's  right 
she  was  till  I  can't  dispute  wid  her.  Good  marnin', 
Mr.  Montford." 

"  Wait,  Norah.  You  have  told  me  so  much  that 
it  will  be  just  as  well  to  tell  me  all." 

"It's  not  tellin'  ye  anymore  I'll  be,  Mr.  Montford, 
an'  I  can't  tell  if  she  meant  ye  when  she  was  talkin' 
about  serryfins  an'  things,  but  she  was  a  talkin'  av 
the  grove,  an'  the  yat,  and  the  shinterin'  water,  an' 
yersilf,  all  mixed  togither,  an'  if  I'd  be  tellin'  ye  what 
she  said,  she'd  sind  me  right  aff  home  agin.  She's 
that  particular.  Good  marnin'." 

He  tried  to  hold  her  in  further  conversation,  but 
she  ran  up  the  path  to  the  cottage  of  Mrs.  Lavosse, 
and  without  looking  behind  her,  entered  it  and  closed 
the  door. 

The  Irishwoman's  unwitting  revelation  of  the 
sentiments  of  Mrs.  Lavosse  towards  him,  and  the 
scrap  of  history  indicating  her  long-continued  loyalty 
to  the  only  love  of  her  life — constant  until  his  appear- 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  227 

ance  —  modified  his  previous  estimation  of  her 
character,  and  held  his  own  attractions  to  his 
contemplation  in  vivid  contrast  to  the  weaker  powers 
of  others,  and  brought  to  him  the  vanity  of  exclusive 
conquest.  He  regretted  the  acceptance  of  an  invita- 
tion to  become  one  of  a  yachting  party  upon  the  lake 
as  he  was  in  a  mood  to  continue  his  acquaintance 
with  Mrs.  Lavosse,  and  knew  that  she  would  be 
among  the  groves  or  about  the  shore  during  the  later 
afternoon  ;  but  as  he  could  not  recall  it  without  indi- 
cating a  cause  to  his  associates,  and  thus  betraying 
to  them  the  origin  of  its  incitement,  he  thought  of 
future  opportunities  and  discarded  the  idea.  He 
had  already  come  to  look  upon  his  association  with 
Mrs.  Lavosse  as  an  enticing  secret. 

When  a  young  man  is  flushed  with  the  buoyancy 
of  present  or  expected  pleasure,  he  learns  that  wine, 
if  he  takes  it,  will  raise  that  pleasure  to  the  compass 
of  an  ecstasy  ;  and  if  he  looks  back  upon  the  experi- 
ence, he  remembers  that  discretion  was  weakened,  if 
not  entirely  overcome.  The  restraining  powers  of 
the  mind  were  enveloped  and  their  action  restricted ; 
an  incipient  insanity.  So  Montford,  when  upon  his 
yachting  trip  during  the  afternoon,  to  the  elation  of 
a  supposed  conquest  added  the  stimulation  of  wine, 
of  which  there  was  a  plenty  on  board. 

When  the  yacht  rounded  into  the  cove  for  a  return 
tack,  as  it  had  done  upon  the  day  when  Mrs.  Lavosse 


228  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

swelled  the  boat  song,  he  saw  her,  as  before,  reclin- 
ing upon  the  pebble  beach.  He  forgot  the  eyes  of 
his  intimates  and  stood  upon  the  deck  and  swung 
his  hat  to  attract  her  attention.  She  responded  by 
a  wave  of  her  parasol,  but  arose,  turned  quickly  and 
walked  up  the  path  to  the  grove.  This  movement 
was  interpreted  correctly  by  the  party  on  board,  as 
some  who  had  leveled  their  glasses  upon  her  failed 
to  see  her  face,  and  as  she  immediately  disappeared 
behind  the  trees,  there  was  evidence  that  she  re- 
garded his  recognition  as  an  indiscretion.  During 
the  remainder  of  the  trip  Montford  withstood  the 
discomfiture  of  questions  and  innuendoes,  and  upon 
landing  went  immediately  to  his  hotel,  fearing  that 
he  might,  if  strolling  through  the  grove  with  his  party, 
meet  her  and  be  compelled  to  a  recognition,  and  per- 
haps an  introduction  to  his  friends. 

During  the  earlier  evening  hours  he  remained  in 
his  room,  and,  as  the  excitement  of  the  wine,  the 
pleasures  of  the  day,  and  the  incident  in  the  cove 
wore  away,  gathered  his  reason  to  analyze  the  con- 
dition of  mind  and  its  tendencies  brought  about 
by  his  chance  acquaintance.  The  character  of  his 
youthful  associations  and  training  was  of  such  a 
nature  that  up  to  this  time  he  had  been  held  from 
adventures  of  even  the  mildest  social  danger,  and  as 
he  put  his  clear  thought  upon  the  possible  result  of 
this  one,  he  clisaproved  the  methods  used  by  himself, 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  229 

and  allowed  and  condoned  by  her,  to  gain  and  culti- 
vate her  acquaintance,  and  condemned  its  continu- 
ance. t  In  spite  of  his  effort  to  put  her  away  from 
his  thoughts,  the  pure  acts  and  speech  of  Josephine 
Haldon  came  before  him  in  contrast  to  those  of 
both  himself  and  Mrs.  Lavosse.  After  giving 
the  subject  full  consideration,  and  applying  social 
reasons  and  moral  precepts  to  his  argument,  he 
resolved  to  break  the  acquaintance  and  treat  her  as  a 
stranger. 

He  went  below,  and  as  he  reached  the  office  of 
the  hotel  he  was  met  by  three  associates,  who  urged 
him  to  join  them  in  a  game  of  billiards.  As  the 
time  was  still  early  he  gave  assent.  As  the  game 
progressed,  a  wager  brought  a  bottle  of  champagne, 
and  within  a  half-hour  another,  of  which  they  all 
partook.  Montford  soon  found  his  attention  being 
called  away  from  the  requirements  of  the  game  to 
thoughts  of  Mrs.  Lavosse  and  the  exultation  of 
being  the  only  one  who  could  change  the  impulses 
of  her  love  to  a  living  object.  The  game  became 
spiritless  to  him,  and  he  made  excuses  to  retire,  and 
walked  out  in  the  moonlight  towards  the  lake. 

As  he  walked  in  the  grove  the  scene  upon  the 
shore  of  the  lake  came  before  his  mind ;  the  sheltered 
cove,  the  shining  water,  the  swaying  sails,  the  pebble 
beach,  the  swelling  boat  song  echoing  among  the 
shades,  and  the  romance  of  wine  painted  the  vision 


230  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

of  beauty  around  the  enticing  form  and  face  of  Mrs. 
Lavosse.  When  he  came  to  an  open  space  by  the 
path  leading  to  the  cove,  he  was  startled  at  seeing 
her  reclined  upon  the  grass  with  her  head  resting  on 
the  lap  of  the  housekeeper,  and  to  the  romance  of 
the  cove  was  added  the  subtle  charm  of  a  moonlit 
picture  of  loveliness  within  a  frame  of  sylvan  shade. 
As  she  saw  him,  she  arose  with  an  exclamation  of 
surprise.  Norah  ran  among  the  trees  to  the  path,  and 
regardless  of  calls  to  return,  kept  on  her  way  to  the 
cottage.  Mrs.  Lavosse  stood  before  him  in  evident 
confusion  that  the  situation  had  been  forced  upon 
her,  and  as  he  looked  upon  the  downcast  eyes  and 
disturbed  face,  all  thoughts  of  her  indiscretion  in 
accepting  his  introduction  without  formalities,  and  of 
her  possible  disregard  of  social  proprieties,  and  con- 
sequent undesirability  as  an  acquaintance,  left  him, 
and  he  saw  her  as  one  who  was  pure  and  loving,  but 
who  had  capitulated  to  his  fascinations,  and  he  be- 
lieved that  none  other  could  have  made  this  impres- 
sion. He  was  conscious  of  an  intellectual  state 
entirely  new  to  his  experience,  which,  were  his 
analysis  made  with  a  clear  brain,  he  would  decide 
to  be  an  intermingling  of  pity  and  conceit,  but  as  his 
perceptions  were  clouded  by  the  one-fourth  of  two 
bottles  of  champagne,  the  uncertainty  of  romance 
impelled  his  action,  and  he  said  to  her : 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  231 

"It  seems  fated  that  we  should  meet.  Let  us 
walk  together." 

He  noticed  the  pleasure  with  which  she  accepted 
this  invitation,  and  as  her  hand  came  within  the 
proffered  arm  and  drew  it  closely  to  her  side,  he 
imagined  thrills  of  loving  confidence  in  the  pressure. 
As  they  walked,  she  interspersed  the  conversation 
with  scraps  of  her  past  history,  relating  them  with 
the  ingenuousness  of  innocence  revealing  the  inmost 
impulses  of  a  loving  heart,  to  which  he  responded  in 
words  of  appreciation  that  carried  with  them  tones 
of  sympathy  and  trustfulness.  To  excuse  her,  as 
well  as  himself,  for  the  social  imprudence  in  which 
they  had  become  involved,  he  dwelt  upon  the  uni- 
versal liberty  of  action  indulged  by  all  people 
during  their  seasons  of  relaxation  from  business  and 
society,  and  gave  illustrations  from  his  personal 
experience  of  revelries  in  company  with  his  inti- 
mates, the  htlarious  actions  and  speech  of  which 
were  soon  forgotten  or  condoned  by  the  apology  of 
recreation.  To  all  this  she  gave  encouragement, 
and  to  more  fully  reassure  him  of  her  acquiescence 
in  his  thought,  said  to  him  : 

"I  believe  that  every  pleasure  should  be  stimulated 
to  an  ecstasy.  Sorrows  become  agonies  of  their  own 
force,  and  why  should  we  not  use  all  means  of  enjoy- 
ment, especially  here,  where  pleasure  is  the  only 
reason  for  our  presence  ?  " 


232  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

He  felt  grateful  that  she  sustained  the  views  for 
which  Josephine  had  discarded  him,  and  when  at  a 
late  hour  he  bade  her  good -night  at  the  door  of  her 
cottage,  he  assented  to  her  invitation  to  call  at  any 
time  not  interfering  with  his  social  duties  to  friends, 
feeling  an  exultation  that  one  so  beautiful  and  inno- 
cent had  made  him  the  object  of  her  confidence. 
The  memory  that  went  with  him  into  the  night  of 
sleep,  was  the  moonlit  smile  of  Mrs.  Lavosse. 

Why,  if  the  wine  had  not  clouded  his  reason  and 
degraded  his  impulses,  should  Montford  have  awak- 
ened in  the  morning  and  looked  upon  the  moonlit 
smile  as  a  cold  enticement,  his  argument  excusing 
his  indiscretion  as  a  fallacy,  and  her  remark  sustain- 
ing it  as  an  open  door  to  intrigue  ?  Why  should 
thoughts  of  Josephine,  of  her  virtue  and  nobleness 
of  character,  her  regard  for  social  observances,  her 
purity  of  speech  and  action,  have  come  to  him  and 
kept  with  him  through  the  morning  hour,  gone  with 
him  to  the  breakfast  table,  and  have  remained  absent 
during  the  yachting  trip  and  the  moonlight  walk  ? 
Why  had  he  looked  upon  a  vision  of  lovely  inno- 
cence leaning  upon  his  arm,  and  upon  himself  as  an 
irresistible  attraction,  to  now  think  of  himself  and 
his  acts  with  disgust,  and  of  Mrs.  Lavosse  with  dis- 
trust and  suspicion  ?  Again  he  resolved  to  break 
the  acquaintance  and  treat  her  as  a  stranger. 

He  spent  the  forenoon  quietly,  and  after  lunch 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  233 

strolled  to  the  railroad  station  to  see  which  of  his 
acquaintances  might  have  come  upon  the  train  from 
Chicago.  Among  others  who  stepped  to  the  plat- 
form, he  saw  Dr.  Horace  Morton.  He  had  learned  from 
the  gossip  of  his  associates  that  Josephine  had  ac- 
cepted Morton's  addresses  soon  after  his  own  dismis- 
sal, and  his  unexpected  arrival  disconcerted  him. 
Although  they  had  been  acquainted  from  childhood, 
Montford's  salutation  was  almost  ungracious.  After- 
wards, he  turned  away  to  other  friends,  and  among 
them  were  two  companions  of  a  former  hunting 
excursion,  who  were  business  associates,  and  who,  in 
their  outings,  were  inclined  to  vigorous  enjoyments. 
They  had  come  to  spend  the  Saturday  afternoon  and 
night,  and  were  to  return  Sunday  evening. 

They  walked  to  the  hotel  in  company,  and  when 
his  friends  were  writing  their  names  upon  the  regis- 
ter, Montford  saw  that  of  Dr.  Morton,  and  that  he 
had  been  assigned  a  room.  His  presence  depressed 
him  and  brought  thoughts  of  his  own  dismissal  and 
discomfiture.  With  little  hesitation  or  thought,  he 
accepted  the  invitation  of  his  business  friends  to 
become  one  of  their  party.  Before  dinner  they  met 
two  others  who  joined  forces  with  them,  and  together 
they  planned  a  campaign  of  pleasure,  to  last  until  the 
Sunday  evening  train  left  for  Chicago.  This  was,  a 
sumptuous  dinner,  with  wine  ;  attend  the  weekly  hop 
at  the  hotel,  wine  occasionally ;  a  private  supper 


234  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

afterwards,  in  a  parlor  suite — wine,  cognac  brandy 
and  black  coffee  ;  a  yachting  party  on  the  lake  the 
next  day  —  all  men  —  luncheon,  wine  and  several 
bottles  of  brandy.  Nothing  vulgar  indulged  in  by 
any  one  ;  simply  a  stimulated  intellectual  hilarity  ; 
and  as  the  yacht  came  to  the  landing  with  little  time 
for  the  business  friends  to  reach  the  Chicago  train, 
Montford  bade  them  good-bye  and  turned  to  talk 
with  Norah,  who  had  been  watching  the  boat  and  its 
party  with  great  interest  as  it  came  in  shore. 

"  It's  a  fine  sailer  ye  are,  Mr.  Montford,"  she  said; 
"a  rale  pritty  one.  I'm  not  a-blamin'  me  missus." 

"Not  blaming  her  for  what,  Norah  ?" 

"  For  walkin'  wid  ye  in  the  moonshine  till  twilve 
a-clock,  sure.  An'  she's  been  that  happy  till  I  come 
from  the  cottage  an  hour  gone  and  lift  her  a  singin' 
an'  playin'  on  the  pianna,  an'  ye  can  flatter  yersilf 
that  she'd  be  avin  a-lookin'  at  ye,  the  way  she's  acted 
to  the  min  since  her  husbin'  died." 

"  Tell  me,  Norah,  has  she  no  friends  ? — no  callers, 
I  mean  ? — no  lovers  ?  " 

•'  F rinds,  is  it,  Mr.  Montford?  Iverybuddy  is  her 
frinds  that  knows  av  her.  Callers,  is  it?  Galoshis 
ay  thim  ;  lovyers  they  wanted  to  be,  but  she  wouldn't 
have  anythin'  to  say  to  thim,  not  one  word,  not  wan 
av  thim  ;  an'  she  told  me  yisterday  that  'twas  the 
funniest  thing  she'd  iver  thought  av,  that — that — " 

"  That  what,  Norah?" 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  £35 

"  It's  a  goin'  straight,  directly  home,  I  am,  Mr. 
Montford.  It'slikin'  to  talk  wid  ye  meself  I  am,  an' 
I'll  be  tellin'  av  ye  things  that  shud  be  kipt  a  saycrit. 
Ye  needn't  stand  in  me  way,  ayther,  'cause  I  can  run 
around  ye  through  the  trees.  It's  not  sayin'  anither 
word  I'd  be.  I'm  goin'." 

"Norah,  tell  her  that  I  will  call  at  eight  this 
evening." 

"  It's  right  glad  she'll  be  to  see  ye,  Mr.  Montford, 
an'  I'll  till  her  that,  sure.'' 

Montford  went  to  his  hotel,  dressed  in  evening 
costume  with  unusual  care,  and  then  to  dinner  with 
two  companions  of  the  day  and  previous  evening. 
As  a  natural  sequence  to  the  indulgence  already 
allowed,  the  dinner  included  wine,  and  afterwards 
Montford  felt  the  need  of  outdoor  exercise,  and  that 
the  evening  breeze  was  grateful  to  his  flushed  and 
burning  face.  He  strolled  among  the  groves  and 
about  the  shore,  and  as  he  passed  by  the  moonlit 
opening  in  the  shade  and  went  down  upon  the  pebble 
beach  of  the  cove,  the  spirit  of  romance  again  filled 
the  air  about  him  and  made  Geneva  with  its  glitter- 
ing water  and  shaded  shores  the  enchanted  home  of 
Mrs.  Lavosse. 

As  he  went  into  her  presence  at  the  appointed 
time,  he  saw  the  fairy  of  the  lake  transformed  to  an 
enticing  woman  in  charming  drapery,  with  sparkling 
ornaments.  As  she  arranged  for  his  comfort  he 


236  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

noticed  with  pleasure  her  attention  to  all  the  smaller 
details  of  courtesy,  and  that  she  kept  close  by  him 
until  she  completed  them,  then  placed  her  own  seat 
very  near  to  his,  with  movements  and  expressions 
that  indicated  a  delight  to  be  within  the  circle  of  his 
personal  magnetism. 

Here  we  pause.  The  conversation  of  a  beautiful 
and  designing  woman,  and  that  of  one  whom  she 
knows  to  be  entranced  by  her  personalities,  his  rea- 
son obscured  and  his  impulses  debased  by  stimulants, 
as  she  leads  him  along  to  folly  in  the  name  of  love, 
is  not  of  a  character  that  would  be  grateful  to  purity 
or  give  strength  to  virtue.  At  the  end  of  the  long 
conversation,  which  she  had  deftly  conducted  to  an 
impulsive  conclusion,  she  said : 

"  Mr.  Montford,  you  have  compelled  me  to  love 
you." 

He  rested  his  arm  upon  the  back  of  her  chair  and 
touched  the  fine  brown  hair  that  splashed  about  her 
ears  and  over  the  laces  around  her  neck.  She  leaned 
towards  him,  and  the  lips  that  had  felt  the  pressure 
of  purity  tasted  the  kiss  of  sin.  The  slender  golden 
lizards  with  garnet  eyes  met  in  company  upon  the 
arms  around  his  neck.  Her  dress  was  the  color  of 
Australian  gold,  and  it  revealed  the  perfect  form  of 
Celestine  Lavosse. 


CHAPTER   XVI. 


I  heard  an  orator  say:  "Insanity  is  a  living  death." 
JUDGE  HERON'S   NARRATIVE. 

GAIN  the  early  frosts  had 
tinted    the  groves 
about  the  Asylum, 
and  again  I  walked 
by  the  long  row  of 
elms  and  under  the 
statue    of    Mercy ; 
this  time  to  go  with 
Haldon  to  his  home. 
Hope,  the  only  joy 
that  dwells  behind 
the  grated  windows, 
had  brought  to  him  - 
its  treasures.     Soon  after   my    Christmas  visit  his 
recovery  began.      His  delusions  lost  their   force  and 
fell  to  the  flashings  of  a  dream,  and  in   the  early 
Autumn  the  weapon  and   the  fiend  were  memories. 
Long  nights  of  sleep  and  days  of  quiet  rest,  in  which 
the  bustle  of  the  world  was  forgotten,  had  brought  to 
him   the  healthy  brain  of  manhood.     The  doors  of 


Thirty  two  years 


238  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

the  Asylum  were  closed  against  the  poison  which 
brought  him  there,  and  the  protecting  arms  of  the 
only  place  in  our  land  where  a  man  is  safe  from  its 
temptations  had  held  him  away  from  his  desires,  and 
they  had  ceased  their  importunities.  Doctor  Peters 
had  advised  his  stay  beyond  the  time  of  his  mental 
recovery,  that  he  might  strengthen  his  moral  forces 
against  the  attacks  of  enemies  who  would  meet  him 
upon  his  return  to  the  city. 

"These  enemies,"  the  Doctor  said,  "are  numer- 
ous and  vigilant.  Some  wear  the  guise  of  friend- 
ship, and  one  is  open  in  its  declarations ;  but  all  are 
dangerous,  and  it  almost  needs  the  care  of  angels  to 
keep  him  from  their  power." 

"The  open  enemy,"  the  Doctor  said,  "is  the  com- 
munity in  which  he  lives.  It  is  without  conscience, and 
violent.  It  murders  mi  n  and  robs  their  wives  and 
children  for  the  sake  of  revenue.  For  coin  in  hand 
it  gives  a  privilege  to  ravish  purse  and  intellect.  It 
builds  saloons  on  every  thoroughfare  and  tells  the 
man  that  they  are  respectable  and  innocent  of  harm  ; 
then  grins,  and  points  a  finger  at  him  because  he 
entered  and  was  robbed.  If  he  steals  for  bread  or 
turns  upon  it  for  vengeance,  it  sends  him  to  the  prison 
or  to  the  Asylum.  It  will  ask  the  pardoned  criminal 
or  the  recovered  maniac  to  drink,  that  he  may  help 
to  pay  its  taxes. 

"  One  friendly  enemy  is  his  neighbor  who  does  not 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  £39 

think,  but  would  impulsively  ask  him  to  come  and 
drink  with  him  and  enjoy  a  moment's  sociability ; 
who  then,  if  he  refused,  would  look  sorrowful  as  a 
mistreated  friend,  and  grieve  that  his  generosity  was 
not  appreciated,  and  urge  upon  him  a  reconsideration 
of  his  decision. 

"Another is  his  business  friend,  who  never  makes 
a  trade  unless  the  contract  seal  is  stamped  with  a  bot- 
tle of  champagne.  Another,  his  social  friend,  who 
still  maintains  that  pleasure  comes  in  greater  volume 
as  the  wine  sparkles  and  exhilarates,  but  who  knows 
nothing  of  the  sorrows  that  follow  the  indulgence  of 
an  hereditary  desire,  but  who  is  preparing  his  posterity 
for  that  woeful  knowledge  while  he  is  hilarious. 

"  And  deadly  enemies  are  some  physicians  whom  he 
trusts  in  sickness.  When  he  needs  rest  and  freedom 
from  excitement  they  will  prescribe  him  stimulants, 
which  seem  to  strengthen,  but  their  effect  is  only  a 
concentration  of  his  body's  forces  to  expel  them, 
which  makes  him  weaker,  and  if  he  survives  by  reason 
of  his  strength  of  will  or  superior  constitution,  the 
taste  of  alcohol  has  become  familiarand  grateful,  and 
he  continues  to  take  the  medicine  that  is  compounded 
from  the  formula  of  death,  upon  the  authority  of 
those  whose  mission  it  is  to  save  and  perpetuate  his 
life. 

"And  still  another  enemy  is  the  woman  who  sets 
the  wine  before  him  upon  her  own  table.  Of  all  the 


240  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

enemies  who  should  be  his  friends,  she  is  the  most 
thoughtless  and  the  most  to  be  pitied.  In  every 
glass  she  pours  she  puts  the  degradation  of  her  sex ; 
the  thing  that  takes  from  him  the  memory  of  her 
purity  and  lowers  her  to  the  level  of  his  basest 
thouo-hts — she  and  her  sister  women. 

o 

"And  then  the  saloon,  that  through  its  open  doors 
exhales  the  incense  of  his  desires,  which  fills  the  air 
around  it  as  a  perfume  from  an  enchanted  garden. 

"After  the  others  have  injured  him,  it  offers  the 
friendly  enjoyment  of  its  comforts,  then  stupefies  its 
guest  and  takes  from  him  his  purse  and  brain,  and  has 
no  further  use  for  him.  This,  and  the  community  in 
which  he  lives,  despoil  him  with  deliberate  intention. 
The  others  are  only  thoughtless,  but  all  are  danger- 
ous to  him  as  the  companionship  of  vice  to  virtue. 

"  Were  some  State  or  portion  of  our  country  set 
aside  for  the  uses  of  sobriety,  within  whose  borders 
no  alcohol  could  ever  come,  to  which  he  and  his 
afflicted  brothers  might  remove  themselves,  their 
families  and  their  possessions,  it  would  be  a  haven  of 
security  from  the  social  and  mental  dangers  that  now 
surround  them  on  every  side.  To  their  strengthen- 
ing brains  would  come  a  cleaner  train  of  thought, 
and,  as  a  sequence,  moral  and  mental  degradation 
would  seldom  come  to  the  inhabitants. 

"In  that  State  the  prison  locks  would  soon  become 
rusted  from  disuse,  and  the  whispering  wind  would 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  £41 

be  the  only  sound  that  swept  along  the  corridors  and 
among  the  lattices  of  its  asylums.  Its  '  Hospital  for 
Mental  Diseases'  would  be  a  cottage  at 'its  county 
capitals." 

An  attendant  came  into  the  office  and  said  that  he 
was  ready  to  go  with  me  to  Haldon,  who,  after  the 
greetings  of  friendship,  proposed  that  we  should  go 
into  the  groves  and  stay  awhile  there,  as  he  did  not 
wish  to  go  immediately  away.  He  said,  "It  seems 
so  much  like  leaving  home." 

We  sat  upon  a  bench  that  encircled  a  long  table 
placed  within  the  enclosure  of  a  group  of  low  pines, 
while  all  around,  and  overhanging  them,  stood  tower- 
ing maples,  with  leaves  tinted  with  red  and  yellow, 
intermixed  with  lines  of  green,  the  charming  fancy 
of  the  morning  frosts.  Between  the  pines  and 
maples  came  a  view  of  all  the  Asylum  buildings  and 
the  groves  and  lawns  about  them.  Within  these 
groves  were  those  patients  who  were  granted  their 
privileges ;  some  nearly  restored  to  their  mental 
estates ;  some  quiet  but  in  the  gloom  of  Melancholia, 
others  in  the  fluent  and  boastful  delusions  of  harm- 
less Monomania.  Here  and  there  an  epileptic,  with 
brain  stunned  by  the  blows  of  an  unknown  and  mys- 
terious demon.  He  falls  as  the  one  whose  heart  is 
pierced,  and  rises  with  the  unfinished  sentence  upon 
his  tongue,  and  knowing  not  that  he  has  been  among 

16 


242  THE  JUNIOR  PAETNEBS. 

the  byways  of  the  dead,  he  tells  no  story  of  his  wan- 
derings. 

By  far  the  most  were  they,  of  whom  the  visitor 
says  :  "  They  are  not  insane.  What  foul  oppression 
holds  them  here  ?  Go  bring  the  Judge  and  gather 
here  his  jury."  But  when  he  asks  the  man  to  tell 
him  of  his  wrongs,  he  answers,  that  something  climbs 
upon  the  walls  at  night,  steals  along  the  corridor  and 
creeps  through  the  lattices  into  his  room  ;  while  he 
sleeps  it  robs  him  of  his  reason  and  fills  its  place  with 
fancies ;  then  comes  again  another  night  and  restores 
to  him  all  that  it  had  taken,  and  adds  *  despair  ;  that 
weeks  or  months  writ  pass,  and  just  as  hope  gives 
cheer  it  comes  again,  over  the  walls,  along  the  cor- 
ridors, and  through  the  lattices  to  his  bedside. 

These  are  in  the  groves  during  the  seasons  of 
their  responsibility,  and  at  other  times  are  kept  within 
the  buildings;  and  here,  beneath  the  maples  and  the 
evergreens,  walk  the  men  to  whom  eternal  misery  has 
come  before  the  body's  death.  Haldon  said  to  me 
that  their  histories  were  entertaining  and  instructive, 
and  as  he  had  associated  with  them  and  had  their 
confidence,  they  freely  expressed  to  him  their  inmost 
thoughts. 

He  called  to  one  who  was  passing  by  and  intro- 
duced me.  After  the  usual  civilities,  he  took  a  seat 
opposite  us  and  looked  at  me  across  the  table  as  if 
to  enquire  if  I  was  a  new  companion  in  their  house- 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  243 

hold.  Haldon  easily  led  him  to  a  conversation  re- 
garding himself,  and  as  he  talked,  our  expressions  of 
sympathy  encouraged  him  to  speak  without  reserve. 

I  will  give  his  story  as  a  whole,  precisely  as  he 
told  it. 

"  Boston  is  my  birthplace,  and  I  will  be  forty-two 
years  of  age  next  month.  Mine  was  a  family  of 
moderate  means,  and  I  was  sent  to  college,  but  social 
inclinations  stood  in  the  way  of  my  advancement  and 
I  graduated  without  great  honor.  Of  this  I  was 
ashamed  and  resolved  to  reach  a  place  of  distinction. 

I   studied  law*   then   went  to  ,   Illinois,  and 

began  my  practice.  I  was  successful  and  had  filled 
one  honorable  place  in  the  State  government,  when 
I  suddenly  became  aware  that  I  was  being  followed 
by  an  enemy  who,  if  opportunity  offered,  would  take 
my  life.  I  armed  myself,  and  one  evening  I  met 
him  in  the  rotunda  of  the  hotel  at  which  I  boarded, 
and  before  he  could  draw  his  knife  to  cut  me,  I  shot 
him.  I  was  arrested,  and  they  did  not  even  give  me 
a  trial  for  an  attempt  to  kill,  but  sent  me  here.  I 
afterwards  learned  that  I  did  not  kill  him,  but  that 
he  recovered.  He  is  intent  upon  revenge,  and  often 
comes  here  and  awaits  a  chance  to  find  me  alone  and 
to  cut  me  to  pieces  with  his  knife.  I  avoid  him  and 
soon  he  goes  away.  I  can  see  him  looking  about 
the  buildings  and  among  the  trees.  I  have  seen  him 


244  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

hiding  under  this  table  where  we  sit,  but  I  ran  to  the 
building  and  he  dared  not  follow. 

"  Now,  I  know  that  all  this  is  a  hallucination  and 
that  no  man  ever  comes  here  to  harm  me,  and  that 
the  one  I  shot  knows  that  I  was  insane,  and  that  he 
has  no  spite  against  me  ;  still,  when  he  comes,  he  is 
real.  I  can  see  him,  hear  him  walk,  and  see  the 
knife  that  he  carries  with  him.  The  Doctor  says 
that  he  has  hope  that  this  mania  will  pass  away,  and 
then  I  can  go  to  the  world  again.  I  hope  with  him 
and  try  to  throw  it  off,  and  think  of  what  I  can 
achieve  when  I  again  go  to  my  profession,  and  of  all 
the  positions  that  are  open  to  my  exertions.  Seven 
years  !  and  I  was  to  have  been  married  in  a  few 
days,  when  it  happened.  I  get  her  letters  now. 
She  sends  me  cheer  and  hope,  but  I  can  read  a 
sorrow  between  the  lines.  When  I  am  well  I  shall 
go  to  her  and  this  will  bring  her  joy,  and  happiness 
to  both,  and  she  will  aid  me  to  take  up  my  life  again 
and  carry  it  grandly  to  the  aspirations  of  my  early 
manhood." 

His  eyes  shone  with  a  steady  radiance.  Hope 
and  confidence  filled  the  smile  that  covered  his  face. 
An  autumn  breeze  Came  sweeping  across  the  lawns, 
plunged  through  the  pines  around  us,  and  took  with 
it  a  sigh  that  breathed  the  longings  of  an  eternity. 
Seven  years ! 

Insanity  is  a  living  disappointment. 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  £45 

Haldon  beckoned  to  another,  who  came  and  sat 
among  us,  and  he  said  : 

"  I  was  with  Sherman  through  the  great  Rebellion. 
I  kissed  the  girl  who  was  to  have  been  my  bride 
within  a  month,  and  took  my  commission  as  a  cap- 
tain and  went  with  my  regiment  to  the  front.  I  was 
in  every  battle  to  the  burning  of  Atlanta,  and  never 
was  touched  by  ball  or  bayonet.  My  thoughts  of 
Mary,  and  her  prayers,  kept  me  safe." 

His  voice  trembled  and  the  hand  that  lay  upon  the 
table  clenched  to  whiteness.  He  looked  up  through 
the  pines  ;  among  the  branches  of  maples,  then  over 
the  lawns,  and  almost  forced  the  words  he  uttered,  "  I 
came  to  her  and  we  were  married."  He  put  his  head 
upon  the  arm  that  rested  before  him,  and  all  was  silent 
but  the  low  whispering  of  the  pines.  A  maple  leaf 
flashed  its  tints  through  the  sunlight ;  swayed  and 
circled  on  its  downward  way,  and  dropped  upon  the 
table  within  the  bended  arm,  caressing  his  face.  As 
he  uplifted  his  head  to  speak,  his  cheeks  were  wet. 
and  the  wind  rocked  the  frosted  leaf  as  it  floated- 
across  a  pool  of  tears. 

Again  he  clenched  his  hand  and  forced  the  words, 
"We  were  happy.  I  went  into  business  and  we 
prospered.  We  built  a  home  and  furnished  it  with 
everything  that  is  comfortable  and  pleasing,  and  then 
our  baby  came — our  boy."  The  clenched  hand  whit- 
ened and  his  voice  grew  husky,  but  he  rallied  and 


216  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

continued,  "The  day  he  was  baptised — I  never  shall 
forget  it.  His  name  is  Alfred.  It  was  a  sunny  Sunday 
morning  in  June.  I  carried  him  in  my  arms  to  the 
church,  and  Mary  walked  by  my  side.  He  looked 
up  at  me  and  laughed  and  tried  to  reach  his  hands  to 
put  them  on  my  face,  then  he  would  turn  and  look  at 
his  mother,  and  talk  to  her  in  baby  language." 

He  arose  and  went  out  from  under  the  pines  to  a 
rose-bush  that  grew  upon  the  edge  of  the  lawn,  and 
picked  a  flower,  pulled  its  petals  from  the  stem  and 
scattered  them  around  ;  then  brushed  his  hand  across 
his  face  and  came  back. 

"And  two  years  after  came  a  baby  girl.  We 
named  her  Marion.  As  near  her  mother's  as  it  could 
be,  and  not  the  same.  When  she  was  three  years  old 
my  sickness  came.  I  cannot  tell  you  what  it  was,  or 
what  should  cause  it,  but  all  at  once  I  felt  a  demon 
in  my  heart.  I  struck  my  boy,  and  cursed  my  wife — 
my  Mary  whom  I  love.  Then  the  neighbors  came 
and  held  me  and  brought  a  doctor,  who  said  I  had  a 
sickness  of  the  mind  and  must  be  sent  away  for  treat- 
ment. In  a  month  or  two,  he  said,  I  would  be  well 
again.  I  could  not  leave  my  home,  and  struggled  and 
resisted  when  a  stranger  came  to  bring  me  here,  but 
he  tied  my  hands  and  feet  and  they  carried  me  to  the 
train  and  to  the  carriage. 

'  The  month  had  passed,  and  then  the  two.  My 
wife  and  babies  wanted  me,  but  the  people  here  would 


THE  JUNIOR  PAKTXEBS.  £47 

not  let  me  go.  One  night  I  watched  and  waited  until 
the  watchman  passed  my  room,  then  raised  the  win- 
dow and  pulled  upon  the  iron  grate  and  broke  it.  I 
crawled  through,  dropped  to  the  ground  and  ran  with 
all  my  speed  towards  my  home.  I  could  hear  Mary 
and  the  children  calling  to  me ;  their  voices  urging 
me  to  fly,  for  men  were  after  me.  I  have  never 
heard  their  voices  since.  They  caught  me  and 
wrapped  a  blanket  around  me,  for  I  had  forgotten  to 
dress  myself  before  I  went  away.  They  watched  me 
and  a  year  passed  by  ;  then  another ;  this  is  the 
third,  and  still  they  tell  me  that  I  cannot  go;  but 
when  I  talk  to  them  of  my  family,  how  they  love  me, 
and  how  much  they  need  my  care,  I  cannot  keep  the 
tears  from  coming,  and  then  they  say,  '  Emotion  indi- 
cates insanity,  and  you  must  stay  until  you  conquer 
that.'  My  wife !  my  children !  this  will  never  be  as 
long  as  thought  can  go  to  you.  No !  here  I  will  stay 
forever.  Would  I  were  insane,  with  the  insanity  that 
never  thinks !  But  I  can  write  to  them,  and  they  to 
me.  See  !  I  carry  their  letters  with  me  always." 

He  took  three  bundles  of  letters  from  the  pockets 
of  his  coat  and  put  them  upon  the  table  before  him. 
Smiles  came  upon  his  face,  his  eyes  lighted  with 
pleasure,  and  he  said  : 

"  The  largest  is  from  Mary — every  letter  that  she 
has  written — and  I  have  answered  every  one  ;  and 
this  from  Alfred,  and  the  little  one  from  Marion.  She 


248  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

has  just  began  to  write  to  me.  Hear  what  she  says  : 
"  lMy  own  Dear  Father:  Mother  helps  me  to  write, 
but  I  know  what  to  say  to  you.  I  love  you  and 
want  you  with  us.  It  seems  so  long  before  you  come. 
I  think  it  will  be  next  week  when  my  father  will  be 
here ;  and  then  the  next,  and  the  next,  and  you  do 
not  come.  It  has  been  so  long  I  can  hardly  think  of 
it.  I  have  almost  forgot  your  voice.  You  must 

come  or  I  shall  forget  your  face '  " 

The  rest  we  never  heard.  The  open  letter  fell 
from  his  trembling  hand  upon  the  autumn  leaves  that 
strewed  the  ground ;  the  wind  closed  its  folds,  and 
hid  the  loving  words  from  our  sight.  He  bent  over 
the  table  and  with  his  face  in  his  open  hands  he 
sobbed  as  a  despairing  child  would  by  the  side  of  its 
mother's  coffin,  and  his  form  shook  with  the  agony 
that  no  loving  letters  can  relieve.  Tears  fall  in  the 
Asvlum  as  in  the  home. 

j 

Insanity  is  a  living  sorrow. 

Two  attendants  came  from  the  western  building 
carrying  an  old  man  upon  a  chair.  They  brought 
him  to  the  grove  and  placed  him  near  us,  under  the 
shade  of  the  pines.  He  gave  them  gentle  thanks  as 
they  arranged  and  adjusted  his  clothing  for  his  com- 
fort His  voice  shivered,  and  memory  brought  to  me 
the  tones  and  the  agonizing  scream  of  the  lady  at  the 
dance.  The  light  wind  played  with  the  white  hair 
that  fell  about  his  neck  and  threw  its  shining  threads 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 


249 


over  his  face,  and  his  eyes  had  the  seeming  of  out- 
stretched arms  pleading  for  help.  He  needed  no 
encouragement  to  talk,  for  the  story  of  his  sorrow 
had  become  the  thought  of  his  daily  life.  He  knew 
that  I  was  a  stranger  there,  and  that  I  came  from  the 


TEARS  FALL  IN  THE  ASYLUM  AS  IN  THE  HOME. 

outside  world,  which  he  had  not  seen  in  thirty-two 
years,  and  his  appeals  were  made  to  me. 

"  Thirty-two  years,  to-day,  they  have  kept  me 
here.  There  is  a  little  of  life  left  for  me,  and  I  must 
see  the  beautiful  world  before  I  die.  Won't  you 
take  me  with  you  when  you  go?  Don't  tell  me  no ! 
I'll  be  no  trouble  to  you.  I'll  only  lean  upon  your 


250  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

arm  and  look  around  me,  and  look  and  never  tire  of 
seeing  all  that  I  once  enjoyed  ;  the  woods,  the  mea- 
dows, the  lakes,  the  people.  I  remember  them  all. 
Thirty-two  years!  O,  God!  They  are  there  yet, 
are  they  not  ?  Don't  tell  me  they  are  gone.  My 
wife  and  children !  I  must  find  them.  You  will 
help  me,  won't  you  ?  My  home !  is  it  there  yet  ? 
Have  you  seen  them?  Did  they  send  you  here  to 
take  me  to  them  ?  Speak  to  me !  What  makes  you 
silent?  My  wife?  Is  she  old  like  me  and  I  not 
there  to  love  and  comfort  her  ?  She  is  not  dead  ? 
No,  no  !  it  breaks  my  heart  to  think  of  that.  Why 
don't  she  come  to  me  ?  Thirty-two  years !  and  I 
have  never  seen  her.  I  pray  to  God,  but  she  never 
comes.  There  is  the  Asylum  hearse !  A  wounded 
soul  gone  to  be  healed.  Take  me  to  her  before  it 
comes  to  me !  Will  you  let  me  die  without  her?" 

His  voice  had  swelled  as  he  talked,  from  the  low 
shivering  tones  to  entreating  shrieks.  He  held  his 
hands  towards  me,  and  amid  the  sorrow  that  covered 
his  face  the  pleading  eyes  stared  with  a  tearless 
agony.  I  arose  and  drew  away  from  him.  He 
dropped  his  hands  upon  his  knees,  turned  his  face 
towards  the  winding  driveway,  and  watched  the 
Asylum  hearse  slowly  pass  out  at  the  gate  and  go 
among  the  cypresses,  lonely,  unattended,  and  friend- 
less. 

Insanity  is  a  living  agony. 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  251 

We  went  away  from  them  to  an  arbor  within  the 
lawn,  and  as  we  sat  together,  John  Haldon  gave  me 
the  thoughts  of  one  to  whom  insanity  had  granted 
mercy.  He  said : 

"  My  friend,  you  have  only  seen  a  phosphorescent 
wave  roll  in  from  an  ocean  of  sorrow  and  break  upon 
the  darkness  of  its  shores.  The  storms  are  hid  from 
all  but  those  who  cross  its  bosom.  A  single  rock,  a 
single  wave,  is  shown  to  you  by  the  dim  light  of  the 
disturbed  waters,  and  the  fragments  about  you  are 
the  wrecks  of  but  a  single  reef.  All  around  the 
endless  shores  are  other  reefs  and  other  rocks,  and 
over  the  gloomy  surface  roll  other  waves  bearing 
despair. 

"And  have  you  thought,  as  you  walked  about 
seeking  knowledge,  that  you  have  seen  nothing  that 
is  new  to  you  ;  have  found  no  action  or  emotion  that 
is  not  about  you  in  the  city  ;  and  that  you  could  fill 
these  yards  and  groves  from  its  inhabitants,  and 
to-morrow's  visitor  be  entertained  precisely  as  you 
have  been? 

"  The  sorrows  and  the  tears,  the  fears  and  the 
delusions,  the  curses  and  the  cries  for  vengeance, 
would  all  be  here.  The  hysteric,  the  melancholy, 
the  monomaniac,  the  lunatic,  and  the  madman,  would 
come  with  you  from  homes  and  schools,  from  offices 
and  shops,  from  counting-houses  and  chambers  of 


252  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

commerce,  from  saloons  and  beer  halls.  The  gentle 
would  come,  with  mingled  tears  and  smiles,  gazing 
in  rapture  upon  their  castles  in  the  heavens.  The 
deluded  would  come,  with  the  story  of  folly  upon 
their  tongues.  The  violent  would  come,  with  the 
smoking  pistol  and  the  knife  dripping  with  blood. 

"This  is  but  a  mirror  of  the  social  world,  that 
shows  to  the  observer  a  reflection  of  its  daily  action. 
Here  is  mania.  There  it  is  among  your  people  in 
all  its  forms. 

"And  have  you  thought,  as  you  walked  among  the 
people  of  the  Asylum,  noting  their  delusions  and  dem- 
onstrations, that  they  are  men  and  women  with  souls 
attuned  to  the  harmony  of  emotions,  and  that  they  feel 
and  suffer  as  the  ones  to  whom  delusions  never  come? 

"  These  delusions  are  but  a  moment's  anguish 
within  a  day  of  sorrow;  or  a  flashing  dream  of 
torment  amid  a  night  of  horror;  and  when  they 
depart  the  mind  comes  back  again  to  the  contem- 
plation of  its  troubles  and  its  sorrows  with  a  concep- 
tion made  more  vivid  by  a  knowledge  of  its  helpless- 
ness. They  see  the  world  as  we  see  it,  and  know 
its  comforts  and  its  pleasures,  and  know  that  they 
are  held  away  from  it,  perhaps  forever — prisoners 
without  a  crime.  They  know  the  happiness  of 
friendship  and  the  joy  of  family,  but  they  dwell 
within  an  enclosure  and  sit  among  a  multitude, 
alone.  They  know  that  thoughts  of  harm  are  never 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  253 

theirs ;  but  they  see  their  families  flee  from  them, 
when  their  only  thought  is  love ;  desert,  and  then 
forget  them,  while  they  would  walk  the  earth  to 
find  a  loving  face,  and  give  the  day  and  the  stillness 
of  the  night  to  memories  of  home. 

"They  know  that  their  trouble  is  but  a  sickness, 
and  they  see  their  fellow-man  add  to  the  wrongs  that 
he  has  already  done  them.  They  hear  the  stories 
that  he  repeats  about  them,  culled  from  the  parch- 
ments of  superstitious  ages ;  that  they  have  evil 
spirits  in  them,  and  uncanny  witches  dancing  around 
them  with  unseen  antics  and  unheard  curses ;  that 
God  has  forgotten  them  or  frowns  when  he  hears 
their  prayers.  They  hear  the  names  of  derision  and 
degradation  that  he  shouts  to  them — fit  appellations 
for  a  barbarian's  derisive  harangue  to  his  enemy. 
They  know  that  he  comes  to  their  hospital  as  to  a 
place  of  curious  exhibition. 

"  Of  all  the  humiliations  that  he  puts  upon  them, 
this  is  the  worst  and  the  most  unnecessary.  As  well 
might  strangers  walk  into  his  bedchamber  and  watch 
him  as  he  struggled  with  the  pains  of  fever,  and 
comment  on  his  agonies  and  point  each  other  to  his 
writhings.  The  curious  visitor  is  an  insult  to  man- 
hood and  womanhood.  To  him  it  brings  no  good  or 
knowledge.  He  goes  away  as  ignorant  as  when  he 
came,  and  carries  only  the  fancied  comprehension  of 
an  unthoughtful  mind ;  while  they  who  need  serenity 


254  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

of  mind  to  make  them  well  are  disturbed  by  angry 
thoughts.     This  is  the  home  of  a  dreadful  sickness 

to 

and  should  be  made  sacred  from  intrusion. 

"Those  who  care  for  them  and  comprehend  their 
sorrows,  pity  and  respect  and  give  their  sympathy, 
and  would  close  the  doors  against  the  man  who 
comes  with  gaping  mouth  and  foolish  questions  to 
gaze  upon  those  whose  delusions  are  equal  in  truth 
to  the  conclusions  of  his  thoughtless  curiosity ;  but 
he  holds  them  open  and  the  wrong  continues. 
"And  he  who  recovers  from  the  insanity  of  alco- 
hol :  what  have  you  learned  from  him  ?  He,  whose 
memory  can  go  back  over  the  delusions  of  the  Asy- 
lum and  trace  their  wanderings  ;  can  mingle  with  the 
deliriums  of  alcohol  and  see  their  frightful  imagery  ; 
and  can  dwell  with  his  desires  and  know  their  tainted 
impulses.  Amid  the  quiet  of  the  Asylum  he  has 
found  the  truth  and  comprehends  it. 

"  He  has  learned  that  the  mind  can  be  corrupted 
by  the  chemical  action  of  a  material  substance,  and 
memory  stands  beside  him  and  sees  the  gradual 
decay.  The  same  poisoned  blood  in  which  the  heart 
sends  disease  to  the  vitals,  goes  to  the  chambers  of 
the  mind, bearing  disaster. 

"Few  are  the  words  required  to  tell  the  causes, 
but  the  sorrows  strewn  along  the  path  of  effects 
would  fill  the  libraries  of  the  world  with  sombre 
volumes. 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  255 

"To  him,  the  Asylum  has  no  terrors.  He  will  tell 
you  that  others  may  look  upon  the  towering  walls  and 
grated  windows  with  awe  and  fear,  but  he  will  see  a 
sanctuary.  As  he  walked  along  its  corridors,  and  in 
its  groves,  the  burden  of  his  shame  unrolled  and  fell 
away  from  him.  Others  may  see  the  gloom  of  dark- 
ness around  its  portals,  but  he  has  found  the  light  of 
reason  shining  within. 

"Others  may  think  of  madmen,  prisoned  in  cells, 
filled  with  curses,  but  he  thinks  of  an  afflicted  brother 
struggling  with  the  fever  of  delusion,  and  looks  upon 
the  room  with  the  latticed  door  as  a  holy  place.  Upon 
its  iron  bedstead  the  sweet  sleep  of  health  and  peace 
has  come  back  to  him  again,  and  when  a  maniac's 
curse  rings  out  upon  the  still  night  air,  he  hears  the 
echo  in  the  grove  transform  profanity,  and  waft  it  to 
the  heavens  in  words  of  prayer  ;  that  the  Angel  writes 
within  his  book  :  '  God,  help  me  :  Christ,  remember 
me :  Jesus,  protect  me.'  " 

We  went  by  the  long  row  of  elms,  passed  out  at 
the  gate,  and  turned  our  faces  towards  the  city.  By 
my  side  there  walked  a  man  with  intellect  restored ; 
an  intellect,  bound  to  the  chariot  of  Bacchus  twenty 
years. 


CHAPTER    XVII. 


N  Superior  Court, 
Case  No.  10,001 
— suppressed.  " 

Thus  said  a 
daily  court  journal 
published  in  the 
city  of  Chicago 
during  the  sum- 
mer following  Hal- 
don's  discharge 
from  the  Asylum. 

'*"*  l'IS-:^££ '?>?£%''•' ''"'  A  very  old  gen- 

'"   • -: -i' ^i'-rvT*  " 

tlemen    of    heavy 

form,  abrupt  in  speech  and  with  a  tendency  to  asth- 
matic struggles,  was  seated  in  the  easy  chair  with 
cushioned  arms,  his  feet  on  the  low  footstool  of 
the  three,  in  the  parlor  of  Celestine  Lavosse. 
This  lady  sat  before  him  in  the  armless  bamboo 
chair,  and  selected  letters,  memorandums,  and  scraps 
of  verse,  from  a  bundle  upon  her  lap,  and  placed 
them  on  the  arm  of  the  easy  chair,  from  which  he 
took  them,  one  by  one,  read  them  carefully  and  gave 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  £57 

them  back  to  her,  saying,  "This  is  not  sufficient 
proof." 

Celestine  leaned  against  her  chair  and  gently 
rocked  as  she  looked  the  papers  over  in  the  order 
in  which  they  had  been  given  her.  Her  dress  was  of 
white  illusion,  creamy  in  its  tints,  covering  an  em- 
broidered skirt  which  clung  with  noiseless  motions 
as  she  rocked.  A  heavy  kerchief  of  costly  lace, 
yellow  with  age,  was  caught  about  her  neck  by  a  dia- 
mond double-heart,  which  sent  its  sparkling  answers 
to  the  heavy  solitaire  upon  her  finger  flashing  its  chal- 
lenges from  the  gas  lights  above  the  easy  chair.  The 
light  evening  breeze  came  through  the  open  window 
of  the  sleeping  room,  pushed  away  the  curtains  before 
the  arch  and  moved  the  light  illusion  of  her  dress  in 
gentle  ripples,  and  threw  the  splashes  of  fine  brown 
hair  across  her  cheek  as  she  bent  her  head  over  the 
papers  and  searched  intently  as  for  a  sentence  lost. 

The  old  gentleman  put  aside  his  glasses,  bent 
forward  in  his  chair  and  gazed  at  her  as  if  to  make  a 
perfect  picture  for  the  use  of  memory.  His  eyes 
wandered  among  the  folds  of  her  clinging  skirt,  over 
her  shapely  hands  and  arms,  dwelt  upon  the  outlines 
of  her  waist,  then  upon  her  face  and  among  the 
ripples  of  her  hair.  If  she  was  conscious  of  his  scru- 
tiny she  betrayed  no  sign,  but  still  searched  among 
the  papers  for  words  which  were  not  there.  He 
soon  carefully  adjusted  his  glasses  to  his  eyes,  bent 


258  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

farther  forward  and  again  studied  her  face  intently 
as  one  entranced  or  fascinated.  Suddenly  a  sharp 
sound  broke  upon  the  stillness  of  the  room.  A  key 
in  the  piano  had  yielded  to  the  tension  of  its  string 
and  a  minor  note  of  the  seventh  octave  escaped  from 
its  prison  behind  the  sounding  board.  He  sank  back 
in  his  chair  and  uttered  an  exclamation  that,  struck 
the  chord  upon  the  second  octave  below.  The  lib- 
erated note  had  set  the  pitch  for  the  cadences  of  age. 
He  turned  his  face  towards  the  piano  as  if  expecting 
other  chords,  and  seemed  with  open  mouth  to  wait 
his  cue  for  lower  cadences. 

Celestine  looked  in  his  face  as  if  to  read  his 
thoughts,  and  saw  the  blood  flush  red  upon  his  neck 
and  cheeks.  When  he  turned  to  speak  his  eyes  met 
hers  and  fell  before  their  glance.  Whatever  were  his 
thoughts,  she  knew  that  hers  could  be  the  victory. 
She  pointed  to  the  glittering  ring  upon  her  finger 
and  said,  "Is  this  no  proof?"  then  to  the  jeweled 
hearts,  "Nor  this?" 

"  Not  conclusive.     They  might  be  gifts  that " 

"  Judge  Worthington,  you  have  known  me  since 
my  childhood.  I  have  always  respected  you — almost 
loved  you.  I  asked  you  to  come  to  me  because  you 
were  my  father's  friend— my  friend.  In  the  little 
city  where  we  lived,  each  knew  all  the  others.  Was 
not  my  reputation  stainless  ?  I  became  dependent 
upon  my  own  exertions  and  came  here  to  perfect 


.0  I 


„  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  259 

myself  in  music,  that  I  might  teach  and  honorably 
live.  I  wanted  a  home.  I  promised  myself  to  him 
to  gain  it.  He  has  trifled  with  me — would  lead  me 
astray,  but  my  early  teachings  at  home  and  at  school 
have  held  me  away  from  wrong.  He  has  forsaken 
me.  Am  I  to  suffer  without  recompense  ?  " 

Celestine  went  to  the  crimson  lounge  and  threw 
herself  upon  it,  covering  her  face  with  her  hands. 
Judge  Worthington  hastened  to  her  side,  placed  his 
hand  upon  her  shoulder,  and  said  : 

"  I  will  aid  you ;  but  the  proofs,  Celestine !  the 
proofs !  These  are  insufficient.  A  positive  proof  of 
your  engagement  I  must  have.  The  letters  are  but 
love  effusions  that  might  precede  a  troth;  the  orna- 
ments a  bauble  present  from  a  rich  man." 

Celestine  sprang  from  the  lounge  as  if  impelled  by 
a  sudden  thought,  exclaiming  : 

"  I  have  this  proof.  I  will  send  her  here  that  you 
may  talk  with  her." 

She  hurriedly  went  to  the  dressing  room  to  pre- 
pare for  the  street,  and  as  she  came  out  said  to. 
Judge  Worthington : 

"  I  knew  that  you  used  wine  at  home,  but  did  not 
know  the  kind,  so  I  prepared  for  your  visit  by  getting 
several  varieties.  Here  it  is  in  the  dressing  room. 
I  would  drink  with  you,  but  I  dislike  the  taste.  I 
will  not  return  until  after  your  interview  with  the 


2CO  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

woman  in  whose  house  I  was  living  at  the  time  of 
my  engagement.     Her  name  is  Mrs.  Sharkey." 

Celestine  went  to  the  first  floor  room  back  in  Mrs. 
Sharkey's  house,  and  hurriedly  explained  to  that 
woman  what  was  expected  of  her  in  relation  to 
"Case  Number  10,001."  This  explanation  was 
received  by  her  in  silence,  and  when  Celestine  con- 
cluded she  said : 

"Mrs.  Lavosse,  I'm  in  awful  bad  luck — harrible. 
Iver  sence  the  man  up-stairs  was  choked  till  death 
not  a  bit  av  anythin'  is  a-goin'  right.  Me  houses 
are  half  impty  all  av  the  time  an'  me  roomers  are 
fightin'  wid  me  for  chaper  rint.  It's  a  lot  av  money 
yer  goin'  to  git.  How  much  is  a  rale  good  witness 
worth,  Mrs.  Lavosse?" 

"  I'll  do  nicely  by  you,  Mrs.  Sharkey.  Do,  please, 
go.  The  Judge  is  waiting  for  you." 

"Nicely,  is  it?  How  minny  dollars  does  that 
mane,  Mrs.  Lavosse?" 

"  Oh,  a  hundred  dollars." 

"A  hundred  dollars,  is  it?  It's  a  lot  av  money 
yer  goin'  to  git.  Give  me  the  clushter  ye  have  in  yer 
pocket,  an'  ye's  kin  buy  it  back  av  me  for  foor  hoon- 
dred." 

"  Goodness,  Mrs.  Sharkey !  you  are  greedy." 

"Grady,  is  it?     What's  yoursilf,  Mrs.  Lavosse?" 

"  But  I  want  the  cluster  to  wear.  I  will  give  you 
four  hundred  dollars.  Can't  you  take  my  word  ?  " 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  201 

"Mrs.  Lavosse,  I'm  in  bad  luck  an'  I'll  be  nadin' 
sure  money.  Iver  sence  the  man  up  stairs " 

"  Here,  here,  Mrs.  Sharkey,  take  it  and  go  quick. 
The  Judge  is  waiting  for  you.  Tell  him " 

"It's  not  nadin'  any  advice,  I  am.  I'll  till  him  a 
story  that'll  do  ye  good.  All  the  women  shud  stand 
togither  for  wan  anither." 

"Do  not  forget  to  tell  the  Judge  what  I  said  about 
him,  Mrs.  Sharkey." 

"  I'll  not,  Mrs.  Lavosse." 

Mrs.  Sharkey  hurriedly  put  on  her  black  silk  and' 
crossed  the  street  to  Celestine's  parlor,  where  she 
saluted  the  Judge  with  becoming  deference.  He 
answered  by  saying,  "Mrs.  Sharkey,  I  suppose?" 

"  That's  me  name,  Judge,  an'  what  was  it  ye 
wantid  wid  me?  If  it's  anythin'  about  a  coort  I 
don't  want  to  stay,  sure.  I'm  afeard  av  thim.  Me 
husbin' — rest  his  sowl! — got  in  wid  a  coort  wanst 
an' " 

"  You  are  in  no  danger,  Mrs.  Sharkey." 

"  An'  it  was  jist  the  death  av  him.  He  worrit  an* 
worrit  till " 

"  Mrs.  Sharkey,  be  seated.  What  do  you  know 
of  the  marriage  engagement  of  Mrs.  Lavosse?" 

"  Judge,  me  room  where  I  slipt  was  jist  aff  the  par- 
lor, on  the  same  side,  like  the  pianna,  there." 

"Where  and  when  was  this,  Mrs.  Sharkey?" 

"  Last  summer,  at  Genavy  Lake,  sure." 


262  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

"  What  was  your  mission  there  ?  " 

"  Mishin,  is  it?  That's  wan  av  thim  words  I  cud 
niver  talk  wid." 

"What  were  you  there  for?" 

4<  For  a  rist,  sure.     Me  two  houses " 

"Was  Mrs.  Lavosse  with  you?" 

"She  was.  She  was  that  sorrerful  and  lonelysome 
that  I  told  her  if  she  didn't  be  doin'  somethin'  she'd 
waste  away,  an'  I  tuk  her  wid  me  for  company,  an' 
she's  that  sweet,  an'  purty,  an'  good,  that " 

"  What  did  you  see  or  hear  ?  " 

"About  the  ingagemint,  is  it,  Judge  ?" 

"  About  the  engagement,  certainly." 

"  He  scart  her,  Judge,  a-spakin'  till  her  whin  she 
was  layin'  down  a-lukin'  at  the  yat,  and  thin  he  said 
he  was  sorry,  an'  that  he  was  a-livin'  in  Chicago,  an' 
was  doin'  a  big  business,  an'  he  talked  till  her  that 
nice,  she  said  she'd  fergive  him.  I  thought  he  was  a 
gintleman,  Judge — if  I  didn't,  he  shouldn't  come  in 
me  house — an'  thin  he  wantid  to  be  wid  her  all  av 
the  time,  in  the  moonshine,  an'  ivery  place,  an'  he 
axed  her  to  go  wid  him  to  the  balls,  an'  on  the  yat, 
but  she  wouldn't  go  aff  alone  wid  him  anywhere,  she's 
that  particular,  but  said  he  cud  come  till  the  cottage 
an'  talk  wid  her  in  the  parlor,  an'  me  bidroom  was 
jist  aff  here,  like  the  pianna,  there." 

"Well,  Mrs.  Sharkey,  proceed." 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  £63 

"  That's  anither  av  thim  words.  She  said  ye  was 
that  eddicated,  may  be  I  cudn't  talk  wid  ye." 

"  Go  on,  finish  your  story." 

"An*  it  was  a  little  house,  an'  a  little  parlor,  an'  a 
little  bidroom,  an1  I  cudn't  help  the  hearin'  av  it" 

"  At  the  first  call,  what  transpired  ?  " 

"  I  belave  I  know  what  that  manes.  They  didn't 
nothin',  Judge.  He  jist  talked  wid  her,  an'  he  talked 
that  nice  an'  eddicated,  an'  I  thought  he  niver  wud 
git  done  wid  it  ;  'twas  twilve  a-clock,  sure,  whin  he 
wint  away,  an'  he  said  to  her,  he  said,  '  Mrs.  La- 
vosse,  yer  that  plisint  ye'd  make  life  short  till  a  man.' 
Thim's  the  very  words." 

"  And  the  next  visit  ?  " 

"Jist  like  the  first  wan,  an' five  or  six  av  them. 
Thin  after  that,  whin  he'd  be  spakin'  wid  her,  he 
didn't  say  '  Mrs.  Lavosse,'  he  said  '  Celestine.'  " 

"Well?" 

"Well,  purty  soon,  wan  night,  about  three  wakes, 
it  was,  he  said  till  her,  wud  she  be  his  ?  an'  she  said 
till  him,  scart  like,  she  didn't  know  if  she'd  be  lovin' 
him  that  much,  an'  thin  he  begun  a-teasin'  av  her, 
an'  tellin'  av  her  about  sich  a  nice  home,  an'  all  av 
thim  things ;  she  said  she'd  think  av  it,  and  tell  him 
the  nixt  time  he'd  be  a-comin' ;  an'  the  next  marnin' 
she  told  me  av  it,  and  she  says,  '  Mrs.  Sharkey,  shall 
I  ?'  an'  I  says,  '  He's  a  rich  man,  and  can  take  care 
av  ye  nice ;  av  coorse  ye  shall.'  Thin  she  said  she 


264  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

didn't  care  so  much  about  riches,  but  she'd  like  a 
home  ;  an'  I  says,  '  Have  it  that  way,  thin  ;  but 
take  him.'  Wasn't  that  sinsible,  Judge  ?  " 

"  Go  on,  Mrs.  Sharkey." 

"  Whin  he  come,  the  very  next  avenin',  and  she 
told  him  yes,  she  wud,  he  called  her  lovely,  an'  dar- 
lin',  an  angils,  and  thim  langwidges,  an'  if  anybuddy 
had  been  a-callin'  me  thim  names,  I'd  be  flyin'  away, 
if  he  didn't  hold  me ;  but  she  didn't  say  wan  word, 
but  jist  cried,  an'  he  tuk  her  in  his  arms  and  called 
her  thim  lovin'  names,  an'  wint  to  kissin'  av  her  in 
the  face,  an'  in  the  hair,  an'  a-huggin  av  her,  till  me 
brith  was  all  gone  away  wid  lookin'  at  it." 

"  Was  your  door  open,  Mrs.  Sharkey  ?  " 

"Judge,  if  ye  cud  see  sich  a  thing  but  the  wanst 
in  yer  life,  I'm  thinkin'  ye'd  be  holdin'  the  door  affa 
trifle." 

The  Judge  laughed  in  the  minor  chords,  which 
soon  merged  into  a  fierce  asthmatic  struggle  that 
changed  the  color  of  the  blood  in  his  face  and  neck 
to  a  deep  purple.  Upon  partial  recovery,  he  said  to 
her,  between  his  gasps  for  breath,  "  Anything  more  ?  " 

"  Sure,  it's  hersilf  can  till  ye  the  rist  av  it,  an'  I 
know  she  trusts  ye  an  is  a-likin'  av  ye,  'cause  whin  she 
got  the  paper  tellin'  about  yer  wife,  that  ye  lost,  she 
was  that  sorrerful  for  ye,  an'  said  ye  was  sich  a  nice 
man,  an'  said  she  wished  she  was  there  to  console  wid 
ye,  'cause  ye  was  sich  a  frind  to  her  father,  that  she 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  £65 

was  almost  a-lovin'  av  ye.  She's  that  sweet  an'  good, 
I'ma-lovin'  av  her  mesilf,an'  I'm  hopin'  ye'll  git  justice 
for  her." 

Mrs.  Sharkey  returned  to  Celestine  and  hurriedly 
gave  her  a  condensed  history  of  the  interview  with 
Judge  Worthington,  not  forgetting  the  hints  given 
him  regarding  the  deep  interest  manifested  by  Celes- 
tine upon  the  occasion  of  his  bereavement,  and  after 
commenting  upon  his  personal  peculiarities,  added : 

"  He's  a-likin'  the  ould  wine  I  let  ye  take  for  him 
to  drink  while  he's  stayin'  wid  ye.  He  tuk  three 
glasses  whin  I  was  a-talkin'  wid  him,  an'  he  stopped 
it  in  his  mouth  to  taste  av  it,  as  me  husbin' — rest  his 
soul! — did  wid  the  ould  whisky  whin  he  was  a 
drinkin'  av  it.  An'  the  coff  he  has — he'll  not  be 
lastin'  long  wid  it." 

As  Celestine  entered  her  parlor  and  received  the 
greeting  of  Judge  Worthington,  she  was  assured  by 
his  kindly  manner  that  Mrs.  Sharkey  had  not  only 
impressed  him  with  the  justice  of  her  demands  in 
"Case  Number  10,001,"  but  had  also  strengthened 
his  belief  in  her  integrity,  and  she  thought  of  his 
assuring  words  after  she  was  seated,  "Celestine,  I 
am  satisfied,"  as  a  repetition  of  previous  information. 
She  sat  before  him  awaiting  his  further  suggestions 
regarding  her  affairs,  but  he  remained  silent,  and  she 
saw  by  a  side  glance  that  he  was  again  looking  in- 


266  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

tently  at  her  as  if  to  read  a  story  that  might  be  traced 
upon  her  face  and  drapery. 

She  drew  the  letters  and  memorandums  from  her 
pocket,  changed  her  position  and  placed  her  foot 
upon  the  low  footstool,  the  toe  of  her  slipper  pressing 
gently  against  the  foot  of  Judge  Worthington,  and 
began  to  read  as  if  absorbed,  keeping  her  eyes  con- 
stantly upon  the  papers  in  her  lap.  She  read  the 
papers  through,  then  looked  at  the  slipper  on  the 
footstool  with  an  intensity  of  thought  that  traced  its 
lines  upon  her  face.  Suddenly  as  if  an  emotion 
of  joy  had  taken  possession  of  her  being,  her  con- 
fiding smile  flashed  its  enticements  against  the 
gaslight.  She  saw  by  the  motions  of  the  form 
within  her  vision  that  Judge  Worthington  was  lean- 
ing far  forward  in  the  easy  chair,  and  with  the  smile 
still  in  the  glory  of  its  fascination,  she  raised  her  eyes 
to  his.  In  the  flushed  face,  the  bated  breath  and  the 
devouring  eyes,  she  read  the  story  of  her  victory. 
As  her  name  came  quavering  from  his  lips  she  leaned 
towards  him  in  response  to  words  that  were  to  follow. 

Her  name  was  the  only  word  that  came.  The 
asthmatic  cough  had  seized  upon  him,  the  purple 
shade  crept  over  his  face  and  neck  as  he  pressed 
back  in  the  easy  chair,  and  the  convulsions  of  the 
spasm  shook  his  heavy  form.  Celestine  hastened  to 
his  relief,  stood  behind  the  easy  chair  and  held  his 
head  against  her  bosom,  wiped  away  the  gathering 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  207 

drops  upon  his  forehead  with  her  perfumed  handker- 
chief, and  cooled  his  face  with  her  feather  fan  until 
his  recovery,  then  adjusted  his  disarranged  necker- 
chief and  waistcoat,  poured  a  full  glass  of  wine  and 
pressed  it  to  his  lips.  A  smile  of  gratitude  covered 
his  face  as  she  held  his  head  upon  her  arm  and 
smoothed  back  the  silver  hair  from  his  forehead. 
He  caught  the  soft  hand  and  reverently  kissed  it. 
It  lingered  upon  his  lips  without  resistance.  In- 
spired by  its  touch,  the  dying  spark  of  love  in  his 
heart  kindled  afresh,  and  as  she  gently  drew  his  face 
against  her  bosom  with  the  arm  beneath  his  head, 
his  voice  quavered  her  name.  He  looked  into  her 
face  for  encouragement  and  held  the  coming  words 
upon  his  tongue,  but  the  soft  brown  eyes  told  no 
story.  He  dropped  the  hand  which  he  had  pressed 
to  his  lips,  turned  his  head  away  from  her,  and  inter- 
mingled with  the  sigh  that  came  as  if  driven  from 
his  chest  by  giant  sorrows  she  heard  the  whispered 
words  that  age  repeats  and  re-repeats  in  hopeless 
tones,  "Would  I  were  younger!" 

Celestine  bent  over  him,  kissed  him  upon  his  fore- 
head, and  in  a  low  voice  said  to  him,  "  Love  knows 
not  age." 

He  turned  in  his  chair,  put  his  arms  about  her, 
drawing  her  face  to  his,  and  kissed  her  lips  with 
choking  pressure.  As  she  drew  away  from  him  her 
hand  sought  the  table's  edge  for  support,  and  the 


263  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

smile  upon  her  face  had  yielded  to  an  ashen  pallor. 
She  made  excuses,  went  to  the  dressing  room  and 
stood  before  the  glass  arranging  her  hair  and  dra- 
pery until  the  flush  of  color  came  back  ;  then  she 
returned  with  a  smile  upon  her  face,  which  he  imag- 
ined was  lighted  by  love. 

As  she  sat  before  him  again  in  the  low  bamboo 
chair,  he  looked  upon  her  with  bewildered  and  wan- 
dering eyes,  exclaiming,  "  Is  all  this  true  ?  Would 
you  be  my  wife  ?  " 

With  becoming  hesitation,  Celestine  answered,  "  If 
you  should  ask  me,  Judge  Worthington.  I  can  love 
you  because  you  are  good — because  I  trust  in  you." 

"  Did  you  not  love  the  other  when  you  promised 
to  be  his  wife?"  His  eager  face  bore  the  light  of  a 
hope  that  she  might  make  answer  which  would  still 
the  fear  that  came  upon  him  as  she  drew  away  from 
his  embrace  by  the  easy  chair. 

"  I  was  poor,  Judge  Worthington.  I  wanted  a 
home  where  I  could  rest  in  safety  from  the  tempta- 
tions of  the  world.  He  never  asked  me  if  I  loved 
him.  You  cannot  know  a  woman's  heart.  I  never 
thought  that  you  might  ask  me  to  be  your  wife." 

She  bent  forward  and  rested  her  head  upon  his 
knee,  and  as  he  stroked  her  fine  brown  hair,  he  said 
in  a  pleading  voice,  "  Forgive  me,  Celestine,  I  know 
your  truthfulness.  Will  you  be  my  wife  ?  " 

"Yes,  Judge  Worthington — your  loving  wife." 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  £69 

As  she  rested  in  his  arms  and  felt  his  kisses  upon 
her  lips,  the  warm  blood  again  left  her  face,  and  the 
pallor  came  upon  it  more  chilling  than  before. 

The  hour  was  late,  and  after  making  an  appoint- 
ment for  the  morrow  afternoon,  he  said  to  her,  "  This 
case  must  be  dismissed.  Our  reputation  must  not 
be  imperiled  for  the  money  that  you  might  get." 

Celestine  answered,  "  All  that  I  am  or  have  is 
yours  to  direct,"  and  gave  him  a  good-night  kiss. 

As  he  reached  the  landing  outside,  she  heard  the 
echoes  of  an  asthmatic  cough.  A  glorious  smile  cov- 
ered her  face. 

On  the  forenoon  of  the  morrow,  "  Case  Number 
10,001  "  was  stricken  from  the  docket  of  the  Superior 
Court.  Had  it  reached  a  trial  the  Coiirt  Journal 
would  have  said : 

"Case  Number  10,001.  Celestine  Lavosse  vs. 
Leslie  Montford.  Breach  of  Promise  of  Marriage. 
Damages:  $25,000.  Plaintiff's  Attorney:  Worth- 
ington."  #  # 

*«• 

Celestine  sat  upon  the  bamboo  chair  awaiting  the 
arrival  of  Judge  Worthington,  in  accordance  with  his 
afternoon  appointment.  She  had  drawn  the  curtains 
of  her  parlor  to  the  measure  of  a  subdued  light  and 
placed  her  chair  near  by  a  window  and  within  the 
bright  path  traced  along  the  carpet  by  the  sun's  rays 
filtering  through  a  yellow  satin  shade.  She  had 


270  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNEKS. 

sought  among  her  wardrobe  and  found  a  dainty 
school  dress  of  simple  pattern  and  harmonious  colors. 
Its  skirt  was  partially  covered  in  front  with  a  neat 
embroidered  apron  of  white,  with  ruffled  pockets  and 
broad  lace  edges.  Around  her  neck  was  a  plain  white 
collar  standing  within  the  neckband  of  her  dress  and 
secured  in  front  by  a  golden  button  with  a  large  gar- 
net centre  stone.  The  solitaire  lay  in  its  velvet  bed 
upon  the  dresser  in  the  sleeping  room,  At  her  feet 
a  silken  ball  rolled  back  and  forth,  sometimes  whirl- 
ing about  as  she  drew  upon  its  thread  to  weave 
the  meshes  of  an  embroidery  that  lay  on  her  lap. 
The  yellow  light  mingled  with  her  fine  brown  hair 
and  reflected  golden  flashes  from  its  ripples  as  she 
gently  moved  to  the  rhythm  of  her  needle,  and  her 
glorious  smile  beamed  in  creamy  tints  as  pleasant 
thoughts  passed  through  her  mind.  She  sat,  a  poem 
of  enticement,  and  he  who  came  within  her  presence 
might  see  a  maid,  a  matron,  or  an  angel,  as  she  might 
wish  to  direct  his  thoughts. 

To  a  rap  upon  her  door,  she  responded,  "  Come  ; " 
still  keeping  her  seat  and  plying  the  needle  in  the 
embroidery.  As  Judge  Worthington  entered  the 
room,  a  smile  came  upon  her  face  as  a  beacon  of 
welcome. 

The  tongue  falters  with  the  joy  of  meeting  a  long- 
absent  child  ;  the  eyes  sparkle  upon  the  sudden  gain 
of  unearned  gold  ;  but  no  child  stills  the  faltering 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS  £71 

tongue,  and  no  mine  of  gold  illuminates  the  eye,  as 
the  possession  of  youth  and  beauty  to  the  eye  and 
tongue  of  age.  With  his  eyes  fixed  upon  her,  he 
walked  slowly  and  silently  to  her  side.  She  arose, 
and  as  his  arms  came  about  her  and  his  kiss  upon  her 
lips,  she  returned  his  embrace  and  no  pallor  came 
upon  her  face. 

He  sat  again  in  the  chair  with  cushioned  arms  and 
told  her  of  his  action  in  "Case  Number  10,001," 
then  explained  his  views  regarding  the  proper  course 
to  pursue  in  their  future  movements.  He  spoke  cf 
his  age,  of  his  need  for  companionship,  of  the  prob- 
able opposition  of  his  children  to  their  marriage,  and 
said  that  the  engagement  should  be  kept  a  secret 
until  afterwards,  which  time  he  hoped  that  she  might 
appoint  not  further  than  ten  days,  as  within  this  time 
he  could  return  home  and  quietly  make  arrangements 
for  her  presence. 

Celestine  said,  "  Whatever  you  decide  upon  has 
my  approval,  but  I  should  be  protected  against  all 
possible  happenings,  either  from  the  unfriendliness, 
of  your  children  or  among  the  uncertainties  of  the 
future.  I  pray  that  it  may  be  many  years,  Judge 
Worthington,  but  you  will  go  before  me,  and  if  I 
bear  your  name  through  my  life,  which  I  shall  do,  I 
should  be  secure  in  home  and  position  that  I  may 
honorably  do  so." 

"  Celestine "  the  asthmatic  cough  again  seized 


272  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

him.  She  went  to  his  side  and  lovingly  ministered 
to  his  comfort  and  smoothed  the  white  hairs  back 
from  his  temples  after  the  spasm  had  spent  its  force. 
If  he  had  intended  opposition  to  her  suggestions,  the 
touch  of  the  soft  hand  and  the  warm  breath  upon  his 
face  as  she  kissed  his  cheek,  had  driven  it  from  his 
thoughts. 

When  he  fully  recovered  he  said  to  her,  "  I  will 
provide  for  you  beyond  your  expectations.  The 
homestead  shall  be  yours,  with  an  endowment  suffi- 
cient for  the  uses  of  luxury." 

Her  victory  was  complete.  When  he  left  her  to 
return  to  his  home  and  prepare  for  their  marriage, 
he  had  given  her  assurances  as  follows  :  His  home 

o 

to  be  her  own ;  an  endowment  of  fifty  thousand  dol- 
lars ;  besides,  her  dower,  when  he  died,  would  be 
large,  for  Judge  Worthington  was  a  very  rich  man. 
He  would  send  money  immediately  upon  his  arrival 
at  home,  ample  to  purchase  a  sufficient  wardrobe,  and 
would  return  to  her  within  ten  days ;  then  a  quiet 
wedding  and  a  bridal  tour. 

Judge  Worthington  had  drunk  often,  during  this 
interview,  of  the  old  wine  provided  by  Celestine,  and 
as  its  effects  deepened  his  generosity  expanded,  until 
the  world,  if  it  were  his,  would  be  an  offering  to  the 
beautiful  woman  who  said  she  loved  him.  There  is 
a  folly  deeper  than  that  of  age — the  folly  of  wine. 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  £73 

Within  this  poison  is  the  subtle   chemistry  of  de- 
lusion. *       ^ 

"A  letter  containing  a  draft  for  one  thousand 
dollars ! "  This  was  Celestine's  thought  the  second 
day  after  Judge  Worthington's  departure  for  home, 
as  she  sat  by  her  window  watching  for  the  postman 
to  appear  upon  his  morning  rounds. 

As  she  enumerated  her  needs,  the  figures  seemed 
to  shrink  among  the  folds  of  a  bridal  gown.  She 
had  heard  her  future  husband  speak  of  large  amounts 
that  were  to  be  hers  ;  a  home,  thirty  thousand  ;  an 
endowment,  fifty  thousand ;  a  dower  soon,  perhaps  a 
hundred  thousand,  for  Judge  Worthington  was  a 
very  rich  man.  As  her  thoughts  brought  to  her 
mind  satins  and  yellow  laces,  linens  and  skillful 
embroidery,  the  draft  in  the  expected  letter  disap- 
peared in  a  bewilderment  of  costly  fabrics  wrought 
into  dainty  garments.  She  sighed  deeply  as  she 
thought  of  the  larger  figures. 

The  postman  came  around  the  corner  above, 
crossed  the  street  diagonally  and  walked  directly 
towards  her.  She  ran  to  the  landing  of  the  floor 
below  and  opened  the  outside  door  to  meet  him. 
He  shook  his  head  and  passed  on.  He  would  come 
again  at  eleven.  She  drew  the  curtains  of  her  parlor 
to  soften  the  light,  and  reclined  on  the  crimson 
lounge.  The  larger  figures  again  came  to  her 


18 


274  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

thoughts,  and  trooping  after  them  came  cushioned 
carriages,  blooded  horses  with  shining  harness  and 
elastic  step,  servants  and  dainty  dishes,  luxurious 
carpets  yielding  to  the  sinking  foot,  gorgeous  fur- 
nishments  and  beds  of  luxury,  homage  from  neigh- 
bors and  passers-by,  envy  from  women  and  admira- 
tion from  men.  She  closed  her  eyes  and  dwelt  upon 
the  scene.  The  drowsy  summer  air  crept  under  the 
drawn  curtains  and  fanned  her  to  sleep. 

To  sleep !  Perhaps  the  angel  of  purity  comes  to 
all  in  sleep  and  whispers  words  in  the  ear  that  find  a 
lodgment  in  the  soul,  and  will  some  time  drive  away 
the  thoughts  of  sin  and  cleanse  its  chambers  for  her 
abode.  Her  room  is  sacred  while  she  sleeps. 

The  postman  turned  the  corner  at  eleven  and 
passed  down  the  street  upon  the  other  side.  He  had 
no  letter  with  a  draft.  He  came  again  at  four,  and 
Celestine  went  upon  the  street  to  meet  him.  As  he 
looked  over  the  letters  for  the  block  and  found  none 
for  her,  he  saw  a  shadow  come  upon  her  face  that 
was  something  of  fear  and  then  of  pain.  She  walked 
across  the  street  and  up  the  steps  to  the  landing 
before  Mrs.  Sharkey's  door ;  then  turned  and  watched 
the  postman  as  he  went  from  house  to  house. 
He  turned  into  another  street ;  still  she  stood  on  the 
landing  and  looked  at  the  corner  where  he  had  turned. 

A  carrier  came  down  the  walk  throwing  his  rolled 
papers  here  and  there,  in  the  porches  and  on  the  land- 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  275 

ings  of  his  customers.  Impelled  by  mistaken  aim, 
the  one  for  Mrs.  Sharkey  struck  Celestine's  hand 
and  roused  her  to  the  action  of  the  world.  With 
manly  apology  the  boy  ran  up  the  steps  to  the  land- 
ing, raised  the  paper  and  placed  it  in  her  hand.  She 
gave  him  no  word,  but  turned  and  passed  through 
the  hall  to  Mrs.  Sharkey 's  room  and  threw  the  paper 
into  her  lap. 

As  the  paper  always  came  during  Mrs.  Sharkey's 
leisure  hour  it  was  her  custom  to  lie  upon  a  lounge 
and  read  it.  This  day,  being  weary  from  work  and 
heat,  she  soon  fell  asleep  after  reading  the  local  news, 
the  murders  and  accidents,  and  the  marriages  and 
deaths.  Celestine  took  up  the  paper  which  had  fallen 
to  the  floor  and  listlessly  scanned  the  pages.  Sud- 
denly she  dropped  it  and  sprang  to  Mrs.  Sharkey's 
side,  calling  her  name  as  one  imploring  help.  Mrs. 
Sharkey  raised  herself  upon  her  elbow,  overcome  by 
the  great  Chicago  fear,  and  exclaimed,  "  Sure,  what's 
the  matter  ?  Is  it  a  fire  ?  " 

"  No !  no  !  Mrs.  Sharkey;  he  is  dead  !  he  is  dead !  " 

Celestine  threw  herself  into  the  rocking-chair  and 
covered  her  face  with  her  hands.  Mrs.  Sharkey 
looked  at  her  in  astonishment,  and  said  in  a  gentle 
voice : 

"  Sure,  Mrs.  Lavosse,  ye  must  be  a-likin'  av  him. 
I  niver  see  ye  sheddin'  the  tear  but  this  wanst. 
Who's  dead  ?  " 


276  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

"  Oh,  Mrs.  Sharkey,  Judge  Worthington ! " 

"  Ye  can  git  anither  leyer,  sure,  an'  what's  the  dif- 
ference ? " 

"  We  were  to  be  married  next  week.  Oh,  Mrs. 
Sharkey !  This  will  kill  me !  " 

"  Married,  is  it !  The  howly  saints  !  Is  that  what 
ye  was  a-doin'  ?  Ye'll  not  be  dyin'  wid  it,  naytner." 

Mrs.  Sharkey  modified  her  opinion  as  Celestine's 
head  fell  over  the  arm  of  the  rocking-chair,  an  ashen 
pallor  creeping  over  her  face,  and  sprang  to  her  side, 
raised  the  limp  form  in  her  arms,  and  laid  it  on  the 
lounge.  After  much  rubbing  of  hands,  patting  and 
shaking,  the  color  returned  to  the  face,  the  eyelids 
lifted,  and  Mrs.  Sharkey  seated  herself  in  the  rock- 
ing-chair, and  gazed  at  her  long  and  earnestly,  with- 
out speaking  ;  then  rousing  from  the  reverie  she  took 
the  paper  from  the  floor  and  began  a  search  for  the 
cause  of  Celestine's  demonstrations,  repeating  in  a 
low  whisper  as  she  glanced  from  column  to  column, 
"Worthington,  Worthington.  Here  it  is,  sure!" 
She  carefully  read  and  re-read  the  paragraph  that  had 
brought  the  first  tears  to  a  woman's  eyes : 

"Special  to  the .    ,  July  I2th,  1873. 

"Judge  Worthington,  of  this  city,  died  suddenly 
last  evening,  of  asthmatic  suffocation,  a  few  hours 
after  his  return  from  Chicago,  where  he  had  spent 
several  days  in  the  interest  of  a  client  to  whom  he 
gave  his  services  because  of  family  acquaintance.  As 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  277 

he  had  been  at  leisure  for  many  years,  it  is  supposed 
that  the  labor  incident  to  the  case,  together  with  the 
fatigue  of  the  journey,  proved  too  great  a  strain  upon 
his  weakened  powers  of  endurance. 

"He  was  seventy-six  years  of  age,  and  has  been  a 
resident  of  this  county  during  the  past  thirty  years. 
He  was  at  one  time  actively  engaged  in  the  practice 
of  law,  and  was  upon  the  bench  for  several  years. 
A  fortunate  investment  in  land  at  an  early  day,  near 
the  then  suburbs  of  the  city,  subsequently  brought 
him  great  wealth.  He  leaves  a  large  estate,  at  least 
of  the  value  of  five  hundred  thousand  dollars,  which, 
by  the  terms  of  his  will,  is  equally  divided  among  his 
three  children." 

"  An'  ye  won't  git  any  av  it.  Is  that  what  ye'r 
a-faintin'  an'  a-cryin'  about,  Mrs.  Lavosse  ?  Niver 
mind,  ye've  got  the  hould  on  the  ither  wan." 

At  this  remark,  Celestine  arose  to  a  sitting  posture 
and  stamped  her  foot  upon  the  floor,  exclaiming, 
"I've  been  a  fool!" 

"  Mebbe  ye  have,  Mrs.  Lavosse.  I've  not  been 
wid  ye  all  av  the  time.  What  is  it  ye've  been  doin'  ?  " 

"He  wanted  me  to  marry  him,  and  he  said  that 
the  suit  would  hurt  our  reputation,  and  he  had  money 
enough  for  me  without  that,  and  he  went  and  dis- 
missed the  suit,  and  he  was  my  attorney,  and  he  is 
dead,  and  I  shall  never  get  any  money  from  him,  and 


078  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

my  money  is  all  spent.     What  shall  I  do  ?  what  shall 
I  do  ? " 

"What  will  ye  do?  Ye'r  not  eddicated,  Mrs. 
Lavosse,  not  highly  eddicated  ;  an'  ye'r  not  good — I 
mane,  not  very  good — an'  ye  can't  git  yer  livin'  thim 
ways;  but  ye'r  smart,  'specially  whin  somebuddy's 
along  wid  ye  to  help ;  an'  ye'r  a  nice-lookin'  woman, 
Mrs.  Lavosse,  an'  so  long  as  min  drink  wine  an' 
whisky,  an'  sich  stuff,  ye  naden't  be  worryin'." 

Celestine  made  no  answer,  and  Mrs.  Sharkey  con- 
tinued : 

"  An'  he  wanted  ye  that  bad,  an'  ye  let  him  git 
away  from  ye  an'  go  home  widout  marryin*  ye — an' 
him  wid  that  coff !  Tin  words,  if  ye'd  said  em',  an' 
wan  or  two  kisses,  an'  thim  foor  bottles  av  ould  wine 
in  his  stumic',  wud  sint  him  for  the  minister,  an'  thin 
he  cud  go  home  an'  stay  there  if  he'd  be  wantin'  to, 
an'  thin  ye  cud  lit  go  av  the  ither  wan,  or  not,  as 
ye'd  be  thinkin'  bist." 

As  Celestine  contemplated  the  lost  opportunities 
for  shrewd  action,  as  suggested  by  Mrs.  Sharkey,  she 
felt  no  inclination  to  continue  a  conversation  which 
was  not  likely  to  strengthen  that  lady's  esteem  for 
her.  She  put  on  her  hat  and  went  to  her  own 
rooms. 

Mrs.  Sharkey  looked  at  her  as  she  crossed  the 
street,  and  reflected  : 

"  Sure,  some  folks  kin  be  jist  as   foolish  widout 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  279 

wine  as  some  ithers  be  wid  it,  or  me  name's  not 
Norah  Sharkey." 

On  the  first  day  of  the  ensuing  month,  Mrs.  Shar- 
key called  upon  Celestine  at  her  rooms  in  the  second 
story  opposite,  and  after  a  cool  salutation,  said  to  her, 
"  It's  not  a-comin'  fer  rint  I  am,  Mrs.  Lavosse,  but  I 
want  me  rooms,  an'  it's  some  ither  place  ye  must  be 
findin'." 

"  But,  Mrs.  Sharkey,  I  have  been  here  three  years. 
I  have  always  paid  you  promptly  and  will  do  so  here- 
after." 

"  It's  quiet  ye've  been,  Mrs.  Lavosse,  thim  three 
years,  excipt  av  late.  It's  complaints  I've  had,  Mrs. 
Lavosse,  from  me  ither  roomers,  wid  ye  a-diggin'  at 
the  pianna,  an'  singin'  thim  songs,  an'  the  callers 
a-laffin'  an'  a-talkin'.  It's  wantin'  me  rooms  I  am." 

''What  can  I  do  with  my  furniture,  Mrs.  Sharkey?" 

"  Do  ye  mane  the  rid  lounge,  an'  the  springy  chair, 
an'  the  willy  rocker,  an'  the  futstule,  an1  the  pianna  ? 
All  the  rist  is  me  own,  I'm  thinkin'.  I'll  give  ye  the 
clushter  back  fer  what  belongs  to  yersilf  in  the  rooms:" 

Without  hesitation  Celestine  accepted  this  offer, 
took  the  ring  from  Mrs.  Sharkey,  put  it  on  her  finger 
and  closed  her  hand  tightly  upon  it. 

In  the  late  afternoon  of  the  next  day  an  express- 
man stopped  by  the  curb  of  the  house  opposite  Mrs. 
Sharkey's,  made  several  trips  up  the  stairs  and 
brought  down  baggage,  which  he  placed  upon  his 


280  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

wagon.  When  he  had  finished  there  were  three  large 
trunks,  two  smaller  ones,  and  two  satchels. 

A  well-dressed  city  gentleman  passing  by  upon  the 
sidewalk  heard  a  woman  who  stood  on  the  landing 
give  directions  to  the  expressman.  He  heard  the 
name  of  the  street,  but  not  the  number.  He  noticed 
the  load  upon  the  wagon  and  then  glanced  at  the 
woman.  He  judged  by  the  numerous  trunks  and 
satchels  that  she  possessed  an  ample  wardrobe ;  by 
the  absence  of  a  carriage,  that  her  future  residence 
was  only  an  easy  walking  distance;  by  her  dress, 
which  was  too  showy  for  street  wear,  that  she  courted 
observation.  As  she  perceived  his  attention,  a  sug- 
gestive smile  flashed  over  her  face.  He  knew  that 
she  was  of  the  fallen  classes. 

The  following  morning  a  piano  mover  stopped  his 
car  by  the  curb  and  showed  to  Mrs.  Sharkey  a  con- 
tract for  rental,  signed  "  Celestine  Folsom."  His 
helpers  brought  a  piano  down  the  stairs,  placed  it  in 
the  car  and  drove  away.  Mrs.  Sharkey  stood  in 
Celestine's  parlor  and  enumerated  upon- her  fingers  : 

"  Fer  the  clushter  I  have  wan  rid  lounge;  wan 
springy  chair ;  wan  willy  rocker ;  wan  futstule ;  no 
pianna.  Sure,  she's  sharper  than  I  thot  she  was." 


CHAPTER   XVIII. 

Ideality  is  the  reality  of  aspiration.  To  what 
thought  conceives  the  soul  may  attain ;  else,  there 
13  no  Heaven. 


HIERE  is  a  love  that 
tints  the  cheek  with  the 
carmine  of  desire ; 
that  heaves  the  bosom 
with  the  sighs  of  emo- 
tion ;  that  sways  the 
body  to  the  rhythm  of 
impulse,  and  lights  the 
eye  with  the  glow  of 
passion.  It  is  born 
amid  the  flashes  of  a 
smile.  Its  life  is  an 

ecstasy  and  then  a  pain  ;  a  trust  and  then  a  doubt ; 
a  worship  and  then  a  scorn.  Its  winding-sheet  is 
the  folds  of  a  wrinkle.  Its  dirge  is  the  echo  of  the 
wedding  march  of  its  devotees. 

There  is  a  love  that  halts  by  the  portals  of  the 
mind  awaiting  an  answer  to  its  summons  ;  that  pre- 
sents credentials  of  its  worthiness  when  admitted  to 
the  vestibule  ;  that  enters  the  library  of  thought  and 


282  THE  JUNIOR  PAETNEES. 

reads  the  teachings  of  its  volumes,  then  goes  to  the 
inner  chambers  of  approval,  near  by  the  soul.  Its 
life  is  a  pleasure  and  then  a  joy  ;  a  faith  and  then  a 
fruition  ;  a  hope  and  then  a  certainty.  It  never  dies. 

The  cousin  of  the  second  season,  now  fourth,  stood 
before  a  large  mirror  in  a  dressing-room  of  John 
Haldon's  new  home,  and  adjusted  her  positions  to 
the  direction  of  the  chaperon  who  stood  at  the  far- 
ther side  of  the  room,  and  made  comments  of 
approval  or  criticism  as  she  noted  gracefulness  of 
action  or  defects  in  pose.  The  debutante,  now  in 
her  third  season,  sat  upon  a  velvet  rocker,  pressing 
the  toe  of  her  white  satin  slipper  against  the  carpet 
to  hold  her  chair  from  motion  as  she  gazed  with 
admiration  upon  the  richly  dressed  figure  before  the 
mirror.  Sometimes,  when  the  chaperon  was  silent 
for  an  instant,  she  made  remarks  upon  a  coming 
event,  the  anticipated  pleasures  of  which  brought  a 
glow  upon  her  face,  and  a  dancing  light  in  her  eyes. 

"  To  be  sure,"  she  said,  "  every  one  admitted  that 
such  a  thing  might  happen,  but  I  thought,  and  so  did 
the  rest  of  the  girls,  that  their  sentiments  towards 
each  other  were  only  those  of  friendship,  perhaps 
strengthened  to  a  great  respect  by  long  association 
and  knowledge  of  character.  We  never  supposed 
that  they  loved  each  other,  not  really  loved,  and  the 
girls  all  said  that  she  had  loved  one  man,  and  when  a 
woman  once  loves " 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  283 

"Yes,  my  dear,"  interrupted  the  chaperon,  "what 
you  were  about  to  say  is  doubtless  true,  in  the  event 
of  her  having  really  loved ;  but  we  have  sometimes 
known  of  a  case  in  which  a  girl  thought  herself  deeply 
in  love,  and  afterwards  discovered  that  her  senti- 
ments were  but  the  result  of  an  admiration  for  the 
face  and  form  of  a  man." 

The  younger  lady  pushed  the  toe  of  her  slipper 
against  the  carpet  and  rocked  vigorously,  looking 
steadily  at  the  drapery  of  the  cousin  before  the  mir- 
ror while  the  chaperon  was  re-arranging  the  folds 
and  laces.  She  soon  regained  her  composure  as 
thoughts  of  the  coming  event  came  and  drove  away 
memories  of  her  own  past  experiences,  which 
had  evidently  been  of  an  impulsive  sort,  and  again 
steadied  the  rocker,  exclaiming  as  she  did  so  : 

"  And  there  was  no  engagement !  Even  cousin — 
who  is  her  cherished  friend — never  knew  of  it  until 
last  week,  when  she  was  invited  to  act  as  first  brides- 
maid, and  we  received  our  invitation  to  the  wedding 
upon  the  same  day.  Think  of  it !  no  receptions-; 
no  congratulations;  no  farewell  teas.  An  evening 
appointed  for  the  marriage ;  then  the  fnarriage.  Not 
the  least  little  bit  of  romance." 

"  Romance  ! "  exclaimed  the  cousin.  "  Since  I 
have  been  in  society  I  have  seen  many  things,  and 
have  almost  come  to  believe  that  romance  is  but  the 
maiden  name  of  repentance.  As  for  an  engagement, 


284  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

it  is  often  a  bond  that  compels  a  girl,  upon  her  honor, 
to  do  a  dishonorable  thing;  as  when,  during  the  inti- 
macy of  an  engagement,  she  discovers  qualities  in 
the  one  to  whom  she  has  promised  herself  which 
lower  her  respect  for  him  and  bring-  a  fear  of  the 
future  to  take  the  place  of  that  perfect  trust  which 
should  possess  the  one  who  places  herself  and  all 
that  she  can  hope  for  in  this  life  at  the  direction  and 
control  of  another.  She  would  recede,  but  society 
gossips  and  exclaims  against  her.  The  bond  says, 
'  Marry  him,'  and  she  taints  her  soul  as  she  rests  her 
hand  in  his  and  promises  to  love  and  honor  him." 

The  younger  lady  rocked  and  reflected,  a  look  of 
bewilderment  coming  upon  her  face  as  if  the  thoughts 
expressed  by  the  cousin  were  at  variance  with  her 
own  opinions  and  their  deeper  meaning  somewhat 
beyond  her  comprehension.  That  her  reflections 
brought  no  clear  light  to  her  mind  upon  the  subject 
was  evident,  as  she  soon  ceased  the  motions  of  the 
rocker  with  her  toe  and  anxiously  inquired  : 

"No  romance?  No  engagement?  In  what  pleas- 
ant anticipations  may  a  young  lady  indulge  herself?" 

The  chaperon,  who  had  now  completed  the  ar- 
rangement of  the  cousin's  drapery  to  her  satisfaction, 
answered  : 

"In  the  anticipation  of  a  pleasant  life  companion- 
ship, if,  instead  of  the  froth  of  romance,  she  partakes 
deeply  of  the  substance  of  reality  ;  and  if,  instead  of 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  285 

an  indulgence  in  the  raptures  of  an  engagement,  she 
employs  that  time  in  the  analysis  of  her  own  charac- 
ter and  that  of  her  possible  husband,  to  know  if  they 
are  both  mentally  and  morally  capable  of  supplying 
the  needs  of  that  companionship.  When  her  clear 
thought,  unswayed  by  romance,  can  decide  in  favor  of 
a  marriage,  then  an  engagement  is  but  a  shortening 
of  the  real  pleasure  of  life,  and  she  may  appoint  the 
nuptials  upon  the  day  in  which  she  can  soonest  call 
her  friends  together  to  witness  them.  My  child,  a 
thoughtful  girl  is  a  queen,  who  keeps  her  royal  self 
to  herself  until  a  worthy  king  comes.  When  he 
comes,  and  her  unbiased  quest  recognizes  him,  then 
is  the  marriage  feast  already  spread.  Of  such  are 
they  who  await  the  first  bridesmaid.  Let  us  go  to 
them." 

A  trembling,  blushing  maiden,  who  reaches  her 
hand  to  him  who  rules  the  principality  of  flowers  and 
sylvan  shades  which  her  fancy  has  painted  upon  the 
landscape  of  the  future.  A  love-stricken  youth,  who 
takes  the  hand  of  a  fairy  with  rapturous  expectancy 
that  she  will  plant  the  flowers  and  grow  the  sylvan 
shades  which  his  fancy  has  painted  upon  the  waste 
places  of  this  principality. 

These  love !  the  lower  love  that  sickens  when 
they  pass  the  rose-strewn  borders  of  their  enchanted 
land  and  see  beyond  bare  plains  that  wait  the  hand 
of  toil  and  brain  of  thought  to  grow  their  verdure 


286  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

and  find  their  hidden  streams.  These  halt  and  look 
upon  each  other  with  reproachful  eyes.  Love  dies, 
and  in  his  place  is  a  wraith  that  sometimes  comes  to 
hours  of  ease  in  shining  draperies,  which  change  to 
somber  robes  in  days  of  toil  and  hide  beneath  their 
folds  the  closet  skeleton. 

A  thoughtful,  earnest  woman  who  rests  her  hand 
in  that  of  one  who,  by  the  actions  of  his  youthful  days, 
has  shown  to  her  the  certain  pleasures  which  await 
her  in  his  life  companionship.  A  man,  untainted  by 
the  evils  of  the  lower  associations  with  men,  clasps 
the  hand  of  her  who  he  knows  will  be  his  helper 
to  the  better  places  of  life. 

These  love !  the  higher  love  that  purifies  in  the 
sunlight  of  joys  ;  that  meets  the  duties  of  life  and 
strengthens  with  their  accomplishment ;  that  stands 
within  the  shadows  of  sorrow  and  deepens  as  it 
mourns.  This  goes  with  them  to  the  end  of  life. 
Perhaps  it  enters  the  soul  and  lives  beyond.  It  is 
worthy. 

Standing  serenely  in  the  light  of  this  higher  love 
were  they  who  joined  their  hands  beneath  a  canopy 
of  flowers  in  the  parlor  of  the  Haldon  home  and 
made  the  vows  that  always  bind  and  sometimes 
unite.  The  seal  of  approval  was  placed  upon  their 
bonds. 

Josephine  Morton  approved.  She  had  searched 
the  history  of  her  young  husband  and  found  therein 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  287 

no  lines  of  shame.  Recorded  on  its  pages  were  no 
scenes  of  rioting  or  folly.  Among  its  chapters  she 
read  the  story  of  chaste  pleasures  and  earnest  work. 

Horace  Morton  approved.  He  had  held  himself 
aloof  from  the  unnatural  associations  of  men  with 
men.  His  mother's  voice  had  greater  charms  in 
leisure  hours  than  the  eloquence  of  the  banquet  table 
or  conversation  of  the  club.  He  knew  himself  to  be 
a  fit  companion  of  purity,  a  rightful  guest  to  rest 
within  her  chambers. 

John  Haldon  approved.  His  days  of  dread  and 
shame  were  ended.  He  felt  that  over  his  daughter's 
head  there  gathered  no  cloud  holding  within  its  inky 
folds  a  shaft  to  pierce  her  soul  as  one  had  pierced 
the  soul  of  her  mother,  who  now  stood  beside  him 
and  gave  approval  with  tears  of  joy. 

Judge  Heron  gave  his  approval,  as  amid  his  con- 
gratulations were  heard  the  words,  "You  have  found 
the  truth." 

The  chaperon  approved.  Experienced  in  social 
life,  she  had  seen  the  nuptial  couch  strewn  with- 
flowers  and  the  mother's  bed  upholstered  with 
thorns.  She  knew  the  cause.  It  was  not  offered  to 
these  guests. 

The  first  bridesmaid  approved,  as  she  gave  to 
Josephine  her  wish  for  happiness,  with  a  hope  that 
her  own  future  might  show  the  same  clear  light,  and 
as  she  glanced  towards  the  groom's  best  man  a  radi- 


288  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

ance  came  upon  her  face  that  seemed  to  be  of  faith. 

The  debutante  absorbed  the  sentiment  from  those 
around  her,  and  offered  a  silent  prayer  that  she  might 
be  given  strength  of  mind  to  choose  in  wisdom. 

The  guests  departed,  and  the  hush  of  a  starlit 
night  fell  as  a  mantle  around  the  abiding-place  of  a 
deathless  love. 

JUDGE  HERON'S  NARRATIVE. 

Two  years  after  the  marriage  of  Josephine  Haldon 
and  Dr.  Horace  Morton,  I  was  called  to  the  bedside 
of  an  invalid  friend,  whose  home  was  on  Michigan 
avenue,  near  Sixteenth  street.  I  spent  a  portion  of 
the  night  with  him,  and  at  the  hour  of  one  I  left  his 
bedside,  went  upon  the  street  and  walked  towards  my 
home.  My  course  lay  through  the  business  section 
of  the  city,  as  that  home  was  north  of  the  river,near  by 
John  Haldon's.  At  Twelfth,  I  turned  to  State  street, 
and  as  I  went  towards  the  centre,  strains  of  music 
filled  the  night  air,  meeting  me  with  louder  welcome 
as  I  walked.  Far  down  the  sidewalk,  around  the  gas-- 
lights upon  its  edge,  I  saw  men  and  women  walking 
about,  sometimes  entering  the  doors  where  great 
streams  of  light  poured  out  across  the  street.  Anon 
a  carriage  or  a  cab  rolled  over  the  pavement,  leaving 
its  load  to  swell  the  throng  upon  the  sidewalk,  or 
turning  into  a  side  street  disappeared  in  its  shades. 
Approaching  nearer,  I  heard  shouts  and  broken  frag- 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  289 

ments  of  song  ;  men's  voices  bearing  oaths  and  ribald 
sentences  ;  women's  voices  in  shrill  words  of  familiar 
recognition  and  vulgar  phrase,  mingling  with  the 
music  of  competing  instruments  :  here  a  piano  ;  there 
a  harp  ;  yonder  a  violin  ;  across  the  street  a  brass- 
band  in  an  enclosure  filled  with  tables  and  stunted 
evergreens,  and  called  a  garden.  Coming  among 
the  people  I  paused  and  looked  about  me. 

Will  the  people  of  the  Asylum  forgive  me  for 
holding  in  my  mind  a  comparison  to  them  ?  This  was 
only  for  a  moment. 

A  woman  swept  by  me  in  search  of  a  rival,  drop- 
ping from  her  tongue  foul  expletives  of  revenge. 
The  woman  at  the  Asylum  tears  the  hair  of  her  sister 
patient,  and  a  moment  afterwards  covers  her  head 
with  tears.  This  one  had  murder  in  her  soul.  Two 
men  came  rushing  from  the  garden  and  engaged 
in  combat  upon  the  street.  The  sight  of  blood 
brought  thirst  for  more,  and  a  mangled  face  looked 
upwards  to  the  gaslight  with  the  gaze  of  insensibility 
as  the  other  still  rained  blows  upon  it  with  hands  and 
feet.  The  man  at  the  Asylum  strikes  a  sudden  blow, 
then  mourns  and  strives  to  bind  the  wound  he  has 
made.  These  had  within  their  hearts  the  brutality 
of  torture.  The  man  and  woman  of  the  Asylum 
drink  no  poison.  The  blood  of  these  was  filled 
with  it. 

Of  the  lower  classes  !  were  they  ?     I  saw  among 


290  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

them  the  daughter  of  a  schoolmate,  the  son  of  a 
wealthy  neighbor,  the  widow  of  a  gentleman,  and  the 
husband  of  a  Christian  woman.  There  passed  in  at 
the  open  doors,  through  the  streams  of  light,  mer- 
chants and  salesmen,  clerks  and  artisans,  city  and 
county  officials,  women  of  former  social  rank,  and 
girls  whose  mothers  were  good  women  ;  all  afflicted 
with  a  positive  insanity  ;  a  mania  for  a  drug. 

As  I  passed  on,  I  reflected  that  the  people  of  the 
Asylum  were  confined  and  protected  from  the  results 
of  a  mania,  which  they  might  gratify  in  their  delu- 
sions, and  that  they  were  attended  by  those  who 
were  not  afflicted.  I  knew  from  my  study  of  chemis- 
try and  physiology  that  the  belief  in  the  benefits  of 
alcohol  as  a  drink  was  a  delusion  ;  that  after  a  little 
indulgence  a  mania  was  developed ;  and  why  should 
not  the  ones  who  are  afflicted  with  this  mania  be  pro- 
tected from  its  gratifications  and  results  by  those  who 
are  untainted  ? 

As  I  reached street,  a  few  doors  below  the 

corner,  I  noticed  a  small  gathering  of  men  upon  its 
sidewalk,  who  seemed  to  be  in  controversy  with  a 
party  in  a  carriage,  the  top  of  which  had  been  low- 
ered at  either  end.  Recognizing  the  voice  of  a  busi- 
ness acquaintance,  I  turned,  went  near  the  group  and 
stood  within  the  entrance  of  a  building  near  by. 
Among  those  upon  the  sidewalk  was  my  acquaint- 
ance, who  had  a  large  interest  in  a  wholesale  dry- 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  291 

goods  house,  and  beside  him,  engaged  in  conversation 
with  two  men  in  the  carriage,  was  a  member  of  a 
firm  prominent  in  the  wholesale  clothing  trade.  Be- 
tween these  two  upon  the  sidewalk  and  those  in 
the  carriage  there  was  evidently  a  difference  of  opin- 
ion regarding  future  procedure,  for  the  younger  man, 
who  sat  on  the  front  seat  and  facing  towards  my  place 
of  observation,  said  in  a  loud  voice  : 

"  You  gentlemen  can  go  home  if  you  wish,  but  we 
are  going  to  see  the  rest  of  it." 

As  he  said  this,  he  seemed  to  lose  his  balance 
somewhat  and  extended  his  hand  towards  the  arm  of 
the  seat  to  aid  himself  in  regaining  it  That  he  had 
miscalculated  the  length  of  the  seat  was  evident,  as 
his  hand  went  some  distance  above  the  point  at  which 
it  was  aimed  and  grasped  the  air  beyond,  while  his 
head  and  shoulders  fell  with  much  force  against  the 
intended  support.  The  older  man,  upon  the  rear 
seat,  assisted  him  to  a  proper  position,  but  with  much 
awkwardness  ;  and  the  tall  hat  of  the  younger  man, 
which  the  older  one  had  endeavored  to  smooth  and- 
adjust,  was  still  indented  as  he  pressed  it  heavily  upon 
its  owner's  head  in  a  reverse  position,  at  the  same 
time  saying  : 

"That  we  are,  and  if  you  ever  come  to  Burling- 
ton, I'll  take  you  to  a  temperance  meeting,  and  that 
will  make  things  even." 

The  Clothing-man  removed  the  hat,  placed  it  in  its 


<J92  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

proper  position,  and  said,  somewhat  contemptuously: 

"You  have  got  enough  now,  and  you  don't  seem 
to  stand  it  very  well,  either.  You  had  best  go  in 
here  and  take  something  with  us,  then  go  to  a  hotel 
and  take  a  rest." 

"Sir,"  said  the  younger  man,  with  evident  anger, 
"when  did  you  acquire  the  right  to  direct  my  con- 
duct or  to  judge  of  my  capacity  for  enjoyment? 
Besides,  this  place  is  closed.  It  is  a  decent  place 
and  is  never  open  after  twelve  o'clock." 

"And  it's  the  fun  we  are  after,  and  not  the  drink," 
said  the  older  man  on  the  back  seat.  "  We  can  get 
the  drink  anywhere,  even  at  Burlington,  and  we  can't 
have  a  good  time  every  day — not  at  Burlington." 

"  No  trouble  to  get  in  here,"  said  the  Dry-goods 
man.  "There  are  lights  in  the  private  rooms,  and 
the  alley  door  is  always  open ;  at  least,  I  have  never 
found  it  closed.  Isn't  that  so,  Officer?"  speaking  to 
a  roundsman  who  stood  near  by  taking  a  mild  in- 
terest in  the  proceedings. 

The  roundsman  answered,  "  They  ain't  any  doubt 
of  it,  sir.  It's  open  till  the  gentlemen  in  the  rooms 
is  done  with  their  playin',  which  the  same  is  most 
generally  mornin',  after  I  quit." 

"  Well,  this  may  be.  true,"  said  the  younger  man 
in  the  carriage,  "  but  our  disposition  is  to  go  else- 
where. We  would  be  pleased  to  enjoy  your  com- 
pany, but  as  we  cannot  agree  we  should  part  in 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  293 

friendship.  Officer,  go  up  the  alley  and  tell  the 
barkeeper  to  bring  a  large  bottle  of  Pommery  Sec  to 
a  party  outside." 

A  silver  dollar  thrown  from  the  carriage  struck  the 
sidewalk  near  the  roundsman's  feet,  which  that  person 
speedily  captured  and  put  into  his  pocket.  Hastily 
turning,  he  disappeared  in  the  darkness  of  the  alley, 
and  soon  returned,  saying,  "All  right,  gentlemen," 
and  started  up  the  street  to  finish  his  round. 

The  party  awaited  the  coming  of  the  barkeeper. 
In  the  meantime,  the  younger  man  in  the  carriage 
became  profuse  in  his  apologies  to  the  Clothing-man 
for  the  hasty  speech  in  response  to  his  advice ; 
steadied  himself  upon  the  side  of  the  carriage  and 
reached  his  hand  over  the  edge  of  the  sidewalk  to 
take  the  grasp  of  renewed  friendship.  As  he  did  so, 
his  balance  again  deserted  him  and  he  fell  with  his 
body  across  the  narrow  space  between  the  carriage 
and  the  curb.  With  the  assistance  of  the  man  from 
Burlington,  aided  by  efforts  from  those  upon  the 
sidewalk,  he  was  restored  to  a  proper  position. 

Soon  the  barkeeper  came  from  the  door  bearing  a 
large  bottle  of  champagne  and  four  glasses  upon  a 
silver  tray.  When  he  had  uncorked  the  wine  he 
poured  it  out  and  gave  a  glass  to  the  Dry-goods-man, 
one  to  the  Clothing-man,  next  carefully  handed  one 
to  the  man  from  Burlington,  and  then  laid  his  tray 
upon  the  sidewalk,  put  a  foot  inside  the  carriage  and 


294  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

held  the  fourth  glass  to  the  lips  of  the  younger  man, 
saying,  "Allow  me."  The  younger  man  put  his 
hand  against  the  bottom  of  the  glass  and  immedi- 
ately drained  it.  The  others  sipped  leisurely,  mean- 
while talking  with  the  barkeeper,  who  afterwards,  by 
the  order  of  the  Clothing-man,  brought  a  glass  of 
whisky  to  the  driver  of  the  carriage.  As  the  bar- 
keeper waited  the  convenience  of-  the  driver,  the 
younger  man  laid  his  head  heavily  against  the  cush- 
ioned back  of  his  seat,  his  tall  hat  rolled  to  his  lap, 
and  his  eyes  closed  as  if  in  sleep. 

The  barkeeper  exclaimed,  "  He's  done  up ! "  and 
taking  the  glass  from  the  hand  of  the  driver,  went 
back  to  his  place  within. 

A  police  sergeant,  passing  by  upon  his  round  of 
inspection,  looked  at  the  sleeping  man  in  the  car- 
riage, smiled  and  kept  on  his  way.  The  older  man 
on  the  rear  seat  said,  "If  we  were  in  Burlington, 
we'd  all  be  arrested,"  and  scrambled  out  of  the  car- 
riage to  the  sidewalk.  The  driver  stepped  inside 
his  carriage,  laid  the  younger  man  along  the  seat, 
placed  a  lap-robe  under  his  head  and  arranged  his 
feet  comfortably  upon  the  rear  seat,  then  hastily 
drew  the  canopy  of  his  carriage  together  with  either 
hand,  lowered  the  side  curtains  and  stepped  upon 
the  sidewalk,  closing  the  door,  and  looked  enquir- 
ingly at  the  three  companions. 

"  He  is  dead  drunk,"  said  the  Clothing-man. 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  £95 

"  He  can't  stand  it  with  older  men,"  said  the  man 
from  Burlington,  who  had  grasped  the  arm  of  the 
Clothing-man  to  steady  himself.  "  He's  not  sea- 
soned." 

"Where  shall  we  send  him?"  said  the  Dry-goods 
man.  "  Not  home,  surely — his  mother  is  an  invalid ; 
not  to  his  club — he  would  never  hear  the  last  of  it." 

"  Not  to  a  hotel,"  said  the  driver.  "We'd  have  to 
carry  him  to  his  room,  and  the  papers  might  get 
a-hold  of  it  I  know  where  he'd  say  go,  if  he  could 
talk." 

"Well,  Tom,"  said  the  Clothing-man  to  the  driver, 
' '  we  all  know  you.  You  take  good  care  of  him.  We 
will  go  home  ; "  and  taking  the  arm  of  the  man  from 
Burlington,  they  went  down  the  sidewalk  and  crossed 
the  street  to  that  gentleman's  hotel  Tom  climbed  to 
his  seat,  turned  his  horses  and  drove  into  State  street. 

As  the  Dry-goods-man  passed  me,  walking  alone, 
he  chanced  to  turn  his  head  in  my  direction  and 
recognized  me.  With  profuse  apology  he  excused 
his  presence  upon  the  street  at  that  late  hour,  and  as 
we  walked  to  State  street,  he  said  : 

"  My  business  interests  compel  me  to  actions  of 
which  I  cannot  approve,  in  a  man  of  my  age,  and 
our  method  of  entertaining  customers  is  among  them. 
I  shall  soon  assign  this  to  a  younger  man." 

I  stood  upon  the  corner  of  the  curb  and  reflected 
upon  the  deeper  meaning  of  this  remark.  I  then 


296  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

asked  him  of  the  two  who  were  in  the  carriage,  and 
he  answered : 

"  The  older  gentleman  is  a  retail  merchant  from 
Burlington,  and  the  other  is  '  The  Junior  Partner ' 
of  the  wholesale  house  of '  Montford  &  Son.' ' 

He  left  me  to  go  to  his  home,  which  was  in  an 
opposite  direction  to  mine.  I  stood  upon  the  curb 
and  watched  the  carriage  as  it  drove  down  State 
street.  By  the  dim  light  of  a  gas  lamp  upon  the 
corner,  I  saw  it  turn  and  disappear  in  Hubbard 
Court. 

I  crossed  to  the  opposite  side  of  the  street,  towards 
my  home,  stopped  and  looked  back  to  the  place 
where  the  carriage  had  stood.  All  was  still  and  the 
sidewalk  empty.  The  great  gilt  letters  above  reflected 
the  light  from  the  hotel  windows  and  read,  "  Lowman 

£  Stone."  #       „ 

* 

I  nfluenced  by  accordant  companionship,  there  comes 
to  the  pure  soul  a  consciousness  that  is  not  conveyed 
by  the  material  senses  ;  a  knowledge  of  things  not 
seen  ;  the  harmonies  of  a  language  not  heard.  In 
this  language  there  are  no  words  of  faith  or  hope  ; 
no  sentences  of  doubt  or  prayer.  In  the  volumes  of 
this  knowledge  there  are  no  arguments  nor  proofs  ; 
no  questions  nor  inferences.  It  is  a  consciousness  of 
truth  conveyed  by  a  celestial  sense  ;  the  lowest,  per- 
haps, and  the  only  one  penetrating  the  earth- 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  297 

encumbered  soul.  With  this  illumination  that  soul 
comprehends  a  love  which  first  envelops  its  approved 
companion,  expands  as  it  strengthens,  embracing 
the  earthly  family,  and  when  the  hour  comes  that 
higher  celestial  senses  yield  their  harmonies,  this  love 
takes  to  itself  all  who  are  consonant  with  its  purity. 
In  the  harmonies  of  these  higher  senses  there  is  no 
touch  of  a  lover's  hand  and  no  sound  of  a  bride- 
groom's voice,  A  true  marriage  is  but  the  first 
embrace  of  a  love  that  will  some  time  enfold  all  equal 
intelligences. 

^>  TT  "7T 

In  a  later  year  it  was  my  good  fortune  to  be  a  fre- 
quent and  welcome  visitor  to  the  home  of  Horace 
and  Josephine  Morton.  This  home  was  erected  upon 
a  quiet  residence  street,  fronting  one  of  the  most 
attractive  parks  of  the  city,  commanding  also  a  view 
of  the  driveways  leading  thereto,  and  of  the  lake 
beyond.  It  seemed  as  if  retiring  to  the  edge  of  the 
deeper  shade  bordering  a  lawn  dotted  with  evergreen 
shrubbery  and  traced  by  winding  walks. 

There  was  a  something  which  drew  me  towards 
that  home,  and  often  in  lonely  hours,  my  heart  sick 
with  the  companionship  of  a  bustling  city,  I  would 
think  of  the  flood  of  peace  coming  over  me  as  I 
entered  its  borders  and  took  a  seat  within  its  portals. 
Then  would  I  hasten  to  its  enchantment.  Was  this 
the  child,  then  a  girl  of  five,  who  met  me  upon  the 


298  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

walk  one  summer  day  and  placed  her  hand  in  mine 
with  gleeful  welcome  ?  She  plucked  the  flowers  from 
the  wayside  lawn  and  arranged  their  colors  in  blended 
harmony,  telling  me,  meanwhile,  of  their  beauties 
and  their  meaning.  As  she  led  me  upon  the  porch 
I  felt  the  coarser  things  of  life  drawing  away  from 
me,  while  in  their  places  came  the  refining  memories 
of  childhood  hours.  She  called  the  mother,  who  gave 
me  greeting  and  attended  me  to  her  parlors,  which 
held  within  their  adornments  an  ineffable  sense  of 
home.  Her  discerning  hand  had  wrought  among 
pleasing  tints  and  placed  relating  colors  on  vase  and 
canvas,  on  antique  wood  and  soft  upholstery.  Her 
daily  thought  had  given  inspiration  to  all  the  furnish- 
ments,  which  seemed  to  say,  "  Mother  and  child  are 
here,  but  they  await  another."  As  she  sat  before  me 
in  animated  conversation,  sentences  bearing  a  loving 
thought  of  that  other  mingled  with  her  observa- 
tions upon  literature,  society  and  events,  while  from 
her  steadfast  eyes  there  shone  upon  me  a  light  of 
purity  and  truthfulness  that  cleansed  my  heart  from 
worldly  impulse  and  fitted  me  to  sit  within  her  pres- 
ence. The  child  drew  near  to  her  and  placed  its 
head  against  her  bosom. 

Were  these  the  cause  of  my  enchantment  ? 

Or  was  it  he  whose  hastening  footsteps  came  along 
the  walk  and  drew  them  both  with  joyous  movements 
to  the  vestibule  ?  The  summer  air  poured  through 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  £99 

the  opened  door  and  wafted  to  the  silent  parlors  the 
words  that  bind  the  souls  of  men  with  links  eternal. 
He  took  my  hand  and  in  the  grasp  I  felt  the  magnet 
stream  of  fellowship.  In  his  clear  eyes  and  manful 
face  I  saw  the  sincerity  that  childhood  trusts. 

We  went  upon  the  porch  and  sat  within  its  shades. 
The  throngs  of  Sunday  afternoon  poured  through 
the   driveways    in   glistening   equipage    filled   with 
sombre  dress,  gay  colors  and  swaying  parasol.    They 
spread  among  the  parkways  and  formed  a  maze  of 
changing  tints  that  softened  in  the  shadow  of  foliage 
or  deepened  in  the  light,  as  with  a  slower  pace  they 
came  within  the  perfumed  air  that  lingered  on  its 
way  across  the  banks  of  flowers.     The  shimmering 
blue  beyond  touched  the  eastward  sky  and  bore  upon 
its  waves  a  fleet  of  white  sails  that  leaned  against  the 
full  sunlight  and  broke  its  yielding  rays,  which  fell 
in  flashing  fragments  upon  the  rolling  foam  below. 
No  word  was  spoken  as  our  eyes  dr^nk  in  the  beauty 
of  the  scene.   The  child  reclined  against  her  mother's 
side  and  held  the  flowers,  culled  from   the  lawn,  hi 
the  hand  that  rested  on  her  lap.     A  gentle  exclama- 
tion of  loving  words,    holding    in    their   endearing 
utterance  the  names  of  father  and  mother,  drew  my 
attention  to  the  group. 

Here  was  my  enchantment ! 

Over  the  head  of  their  child,  the  eyes  of  father 
and  mother  met  in  a  silent  communion.      Beaming 


300 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 


from  his,  I  saw  a  light  that  with  its  strength  would 
dim  the  lustre  of  faith  to  darkness,  while  over  her 
face  there  gathered  a  radiance  more  glorious  than 
the  illumination  of  hope.  I  knew  that  a  celestial 
sense  was  pouring  its  truths  into  their  souls.  As  the 
child  turned  her  face  upward  toward  the  mother's 
her  lips  parted  as  if  in  awe  of  something  she  could 
not  know;  her  hand  loosed  its  grasp  around  the 
flowers,  and  they  rolled  in  spreading  course  along 
her  mother's  drapery  and  fell  in  a  crescent  about  her 
feet ;  an  oriole  flashed  its  gorgeous  plumage  across 
an  angle  of  the  porch,  and,  as  if  from  his  wings,  I 
felt  the  harmonies  of  that  sense  enter  my  being  and 
almost  touch  my  soul — almost. 


JUDGE  HERON'S  INVESTIGATIONS. 


N  my  last  visit  to  the  Asylum 
I  had  expressed  a  desire  for 
a  further  study  of  insanity, 
and  in  accordance  with  an 
invitation  by  Doctor  Peters, 
I  afterwards  called  upon  him 
and  was  given  an  escort  to 
show  me  through  the  eastern 
buildings,  where  the  violent 
and  demented  inmates  were 
confined. 

Immediately  upon  entering 
one  of  these  buildings  I  was  conscious  that  I  was 

o 

among  a  people  differing  from  those  whom  I  ha'd 
met  upon  my  former  visits,  although  I  had  as  yet 
seen  none  of  them.  Straps  and  other  restraining 
apparatus  hung  upon  the  walls  of  the  attendants' 
rooms ;  heavy  solid  doors,  in  the  place  of  lattices, 
closed  some  of  the  ward  rooms,  from  behind  which 
I  heard  muffled  shouts  and  the  droning  of  delirious 
song.  Through  the  corridors  floated  humming 


302  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

echoes  as  if  from  swarms  of  sobs  and  groans,  and  the 
air  was  filled  with  mingled  odors  of  sickness  and 
fierce  exertions. 

The  attendant  said  to  me  that  I  could  not  go 
among  these  as  I  had  done  among  those  in  the 
western  building,  for  they  might  attack  me,  and  that 
no  information  could  be  gained  from  their  conversa- 
tion, as  it  was  'limited  to  shouts  and  meaningless 
speech ;  but  that  I  could  look  through  the  window  at 
those  in  the  yard  and  could  see  the  others  in  the 
closed  rooms,  and  he  would  tell  me  all  that  he  knew 
about  them.  He  opened  the  door  of  a  room,  and 
near  its  center  stood  a  man  dressed  in  a  heavy  canvas 
suit  made  as  one  garment  A  heavy  leather  strap 
was  around  his  waist,  and  his  arms  were  firmly  fast- 
ened to  it  on  either  side  with  broad  straps  secured 
by  strong  iron  buckles.  He  paid  no  heed  to  our 
attentions,  but  continued  with  his  violent  movements. 
He  threw  his  head  from  side  to  side,  then  forwards 
and  backwards,  with  a  jerk  that  suggested  spinal 
dislocation;  and  then  whirled  it  around  as  if  to 
wrench  it  from  his  body ;  then  raised  his  shoulders 
and  arms  as  far  as  his  straps  would  permit,  and  threw 
them  downwards  with  a  force  that  strained  the  heavy 
leather  belt 

This  he  continued  until  his  exertions  tired  my  sight, 
and  I  expected  to  see  him  drop  to  the  floor  in 
exhaustion  ;  but  he  started  again  with  the  throwing 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  3Q3 

of  his  head,  and  then  the  swinging,  then  the  plung- 
ing of  his  arms  and  shoulders,  which  he  repeated 
until  I  could  look  at  him  no  longer.  The  muscles  of 
his  shoulders  and  his  neck  stood  out  in  bunches  and 
thick  ropes  ;  the  blood  of  physical  health  showed  red 
upon  his  face,  illuminating  a  deep  scar  across  his 
temple. 

The  attendant  said,  "  He  was  an  architect,  who 
fell  through  the  elevator  shaft  of  a  building  that  he 
had  constructed  ;  and  when  his  wound  was  healed  he 
was  sent  to  this  Asylum,  since  which  time  there  has 
been  no  change  in  his  condition.  He  never  sleeps, 
not  as  we  know  sleep,  but  falls  upon  the  floor  when 
his  body  is  exhausted  by  his  violence,  and  when  his 
strength  returns,  he  again  begins  his  violent  routine. 
During  the  night  the  attendants  can  hear  him  through 
the  door ;  hear  the  jerking  of  his  head,  and  the 
resounding  thud  upon  his  belt  and  straps." 

"  No  spells  of  reason?"  The  attendant  told  me 
that  he  had  no  spells  of  any  kind  ;  that  he  was  a 
maniac  ;  and,  in  common  with  others  of  that  class, 
was  uniform  in  his  action. 

Another  door  was  opened,  and  the  man  within  ran 
to  a  corner  of  the  room ;  crouched  down  and  covered 
his  face  with  his  arms ;  shouted  in  tones  of  terror  ; 
trembled,  and  uttered  broken  sentences  that  seemed 
like  gasps  of  prayer  ;  then  turned  and  tried  to  push 
his  head  through  the  corner  of  the  room. 


304  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

The  attendant  said,  "  He  sleeps  but  little.  I  have 
never  been  informed  of  the  cause  of  his  insanity. 
Sometimes,  when  he  sleeps,  he  will  suddenly  awake 
and  sit  upright  in  his  bed ;  then  point  with  his 
hands  and  say,  '  The  fire  !  the  fire  !  God  help  me 
out ! '  We  assume  from  this,  that  he  was  made 
insane  through  fright.  He  never  has  spells." 

We  looked  in  at  a  latticed  door.  A  man  who  sat 
on  a  low  stool,  pointed  to  the  ceiling  with  his  right 
hand,  and  with  his  left  pushed  away  the  clouds  which 
seemed  to  be  constantly  gathering  before  his  sight. 
Soon,  both  hands  were  busy  with  the  clouds,  pushing 
them  upwards,  sidewise,  and  away  in  front.  Then 
he  would  gaze  in  rapture  upon  the  sight  revealed, 
and  point,  and  indicate  the  scenes.  Then  he  would 
repeat  his  motions,  and  follow  them  through  in  the 
same  routine  as  before. 

The  attendant  said,  "  When  he  eats,  he  keeps 
away  the  clouds  and  points  with  one  hand,  and  puts 
his  food  to  his  mouth  with  the  other.  His  motions 
are  constant,  and  his  rest  as  trances  of  exhaustion. 
He  has  been  here  ten  years — ever  since  his  wife  was 
killed  in  a  railroad  accident  and  mutilated  before  his 
eyes,  while  he  escaped  unhurt.  He  is  always  the 
same.  He  has  no  spells." 

In  another  room,  a  man  was  stretched  upon  a  bed, 
a  mattress  of  straw,  without  motion  or  the  power  to 
hear. 


THE  JUNIOR   PARTNERS.  395 

The  attendant  said,  "  During  several  years  he  was 
in  the  other  building.  When  he  came  here  he  did 
not  appear  to  be  insane,  and  was  very  intelligent 
He  would  occasionally  have  spells  of  melancholy, 
that  grew  in  intensity  and  duration,  until  they  met 
together,  and  his  life  is  now  a  blank.  He  will  shed 
tears  without  manifesting  other  indications  of  sorrow. 
Occasionally,  one  in  his  condition,  who  has  been  sub- 
ject to  spells,  will  regain  his  reason  as  he  is  about  to 
die,  and  speak  as  a  sane  person.  The  others  all  die 
in  the  darkness  of  Dementia. 

The  scene  in  the  yard,  where  some  were  exercis- 
ing, was  a  multiplied  exhibition  of  like  character  to 
those  in  the  rooms,  modified  by  less  violent  demon- 
strations ;  and  only  those  had  spells  who  were 
brought  from  the  western  building  because  of 
violence. 

I  observed  that  among  the  maniacs  and  lunatics 
there  was  no  action  along  the  line  of  national  char- 
acteristics, but  that  their  demonstrations  took  similar 
forms  when  impelled  by  identical  causes.  I  also 
found  that,  like  those  of  our  earlier  civilization,  they 
had  no  spells  from  the  influence  of  the  moon  or 
otherwise,  but  their  eyes  and  the  movements  of  their 
bodies  always  suggested  a  fellowship  with  chains 
and  straps,  iron  bedsteads  and  bolted  doors.  Within 
their  souls  there  were  no  thrills  of  joy  or  pangs  of 
sorrow.  It  was  to  them  that  the  lexicon  pointed  and 

20 


306  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

called  them  madmen  ;  and  to  them  the  orator  gave 
thought  when  he  said,  "  Insanity  is  a  living  death." 

I  now  could  see  a  clear  division  between  the  action 
and  character  of  those  who  had  received  their  mental 
blows  from  enemies  that  were  external,  and  those 
who  suffered  from  the  subtle  thrusts  of  blades  within. 
The  darkness  of  Dementia  was  over  the  one ;  the 
light  of  Reason  shone  through  the  delusions  of  the 
other.  Oblivion  was  the  comfort  of  the  one ;  fierce 
imaginations  the  rage  of  the  other.  Forgetfulness 
soothed  the  one ;  memory  hissed  in  the  ear  of  the 
other.  One  was  a  paradise  of  unconsciousness;  the 
other  a  hell  of  thought. 

As  I  stood  by  the  window  looking  out  upon  the 
mass  of  crouching  forms,  swaying  bodies  and  dis- 
torted faces,  perplexing  my  mind  for  the  reason  of 
that  which  I  saw,  and  had  seen  and  heard  in  the 
western  buildings,  Doctor  Peters  came  through  the 
ward  on  his  daily  round  of  inspection  and  asked  me 
if  I  felt  myself  wiser  than  before.  Upon  my  assur- 
ance that  wisdom  had  strayed  into  the  thickets  of 
perplexity  and  doubt,  and  I  only  knew  that  my  for- 
mer views  were  incorrect,  he  said,  "Studious  minds 
with  broad  conceptions  of  the  truth  will  store  away 
facts  when  found  upon  the  path  of  their  investiga- 
tion, and  patiently  search  for  others  that  might  have 
escaped  their  notice.  New  truths  are  being  uncov- 
ered constantly,  and  new  lights  are  being  thrown 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  39? 

upon  all  the  relations  of  universal  things.  What  we 
before  accepted  as  a  finality  we  now  know  to  be 
incomplete,  and  the  conclusions  but  a  primal  advance- 
ment. It  is  amid  the  perplexities  of  unsatisfied 
thought  that  the  brightest  jewels  of  truth  are  found, 
and  he  who  doubts  is  the  discoverer.  Experience 
and  facilities  for  observation  would  aid  you  to  correct 
conclusions,  and  when  my  duties  are  performed  I 
will  come  to  your  help  with  a  few  suggestions  re- 
garding causes." 

While  he  was  away  I  looked  upon  those  before 
me,  as  a  whole,  comparing  them  with  the  multitude 
in  the  western  buildings,  and  the  lines  of  dissimilarity 
grew  broader.  I  was  not  surprised,  when  he  returned, 
that  he  should  say,  "The  deeper  study  is  among  the 
others.  In  the  most  of  these,  cause  and  effect  are 
interlined  in  the  history  of  their  action;  the  paralysis, 
of  the  intellect  can  be  traced  to  injuries,  frights,  and 
aeonies  of  sorrow.  Like  causes  will  make  an  animal 

o 

insane,  but  no  animal  was  ever  affected  as  are  the 
people  m  the  western  building.  These  are  a  hun- 
dred ;  those  a  thousand.  Let  us  go  through  the 
wards  and  enclosures  to  observe  them  as  a  whole." 
The  wards  were  nearly  empty.  A  few  who  were 
old  or  ailing  were  about  the  corridors,  and  those  who 
were  in  their  spells  of  delusion  were  locked  in  their 
rooms.  Some  were  about  the  grounds,  and  those 
who  were  not  trustworthy  were  in  the  enclosures. 


308  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

Doctor  Peters  led  the  way  into  one  of  the  enclos- 
ures, and  as  I  hesitated  to  follow,  he  assured  me  that 
I  would  be  perfectly  safe ;  but  I  was  somewhat  dis- 
turbed when  the  first  man  whom  we  met  raised  his 
hands  over  my  head  and  shouted  the  six  horrible 
words  that  troubled  Haldon  in  his  delirium,  and  I 
looked  for  the  skeleton  arms  and  intertwining  lizards. 
The  Doctor  asked  him  who  it  was  that  he  wished 
such  harm,  and  he  said,  everybody — his  father  and 
his  mother — no,  not  his  mother,  but  everybody  else 
who  had  given  him  whisky  and  sent  him  to  such  a 
place  as  this.  The  Doctor  said  that  this  was  his 
mania ;  that  he  would  repeat  the  prayer  as  long  as  he 
had  life ;  and  in  the  coming  years  the  words  that  cursed 
the  ones  who  encouraged  others  to  drink  would  go 
up  hourly  from  that  Asylum,  sometimes  a  prayer, 
sometimes  a  curse,  "  God  send  their  souls  to  hell !  " 
and  that  our  conclusions  might  sustain  him  in  the 
justice  of  his  pleadings. 

Doctor  Peters  said,  "  In  a  search  for  cause  we 
must  be  guided  by  effect,  not  upon  the  individual, 
as  it  might  be  obscured  by  special  demonstrations 
confined  to  personality ;  but  upon  the  whole,  or  per- 
haps, with  greater  satisfaction  in  this  case,  upon 
groups ;  and,  as  they  better  serve  the  purpose  of  my 
argument,  we  will  study  those  along  the  line  of 
nationalities. 

'  That  this  argument  may  be  clearer  as  we  pass 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  3Q9 

along,  I  will  now  state  the  proposition  which  my 
thought  and  experience  supports.  Leaving  out  of 
mind  the  few  whom  you  saw  in  the  eastern  building, 
whose  presence  there  we  concede  to  be  occasioned 
by  external  causes  ;  and  holding  in  consideration  the 
thousand  who  are  before  us,  walking  upon  the  path 
of  delusion,  I  say  of  them,  Alcohol  is  the  great  in- 
sanity creator ;  fierce  and  unrelenting  in  its  direct, 
and  subtle  and  persistent  in  its  hereditary  action. 

"  Bereft  of  the  restraining  powers  of  the  mind  all 
would  be  insane,  and  the  instant  that  alcohol 
touches  the  brain  the  robbery  begins.  That  its 
direct  action  is  insanity  needs  little  argument.  Ask 
the  financier  who  puts  it  into  his  mouth,  then  wastes 
his  gold  in  foolish  ventures.  Ask  the  lawyer  who 
seeks  its  stimulating  powers,  then  covers  himself  with 
the  confusion  of  delusive  controversy.  Ask  the 
gentleman  who  wakes  the  echoes  of  the  night  with 
a  lunatic's  song  borne  by  the  breath  of  wine.  Ask 
the  boon  companion  who  killed  his  friend,  as  a 
maniac  would,  without  a  cause.  Ask  the  inebriate 
who  trembles  with  fear  at  the  delusions  of  blood  and 
serpents,  and  hears  the  howling  demons  and  the 
whispering  spirits  of  the  Asylum.  Then  ask  those 
around  us,  within  these  grounds,  and  they  will  all  tell 
you  that  they  are  brothers  in  the  household  of  mania. 

11  Those  who  are  afflicted  with  mania,  produced  by 
the  direct  action  of  alcohol,  may  recover  a  partial 


310  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

control  of  their  mentalities.  I  say  partial,  because 
the  machinery  of  the  mind  does  not  again  move  with 
the  freedom  of  perfection,  but  assumes  the  move- 
ments of  an  injured  body  that  recovers  to  the  per- 
formance of  the  functions  that  sustain  life,  without 
the  buoyancy  of  growth  and  perfect  health.  Those 
to  whom  the  blight  of  alcohol  has  come  through  the 
generations  before  them,  and  fastened  upon  the  body 
depraved  tastes  and  trembling  nerves,  and  upon  the 
mind  the  intermittent  throbbings  of  delusion,  are  the 
ones  to  whom  the  darkness  of  annihilation  were  a 
blessing  ;  and  those  are  here  about  you,  the  victims 
of  heredity. 

11  An  awful  thought,  you  say.  This  cannot  be. 
This  is  not  truth. 

"  Here,  I  ask  you,  if  all  things  pertaining  to  the 
man  are  not  transmitted  from  his  ancestors?  His 
form,  his  nerves,  his  brain,  his  diseases  and  his 
strength  ;  his  desires  and  his  habits  :  his  tendencies 
and  his  peculiarities  ;  and  everything  that  is  of  the 
man,  in  like  condition  as  his  parents  ;  and  is  any  one 
living  wholly  responsible  for  what  he  is,  either  in 
form  or  action  ? 

"  The  ways  of  the  insane  from  internal  causes  are 
the  ways  of  the  man  under  the  influence  of  alcohol ; 
even  when  the  insane  person  has  never  tasted  it. 

"  Lest  you  should  apply  the  reverse  of  this  prop- 
osition, I  will  hold  you  to  its  direction  by  saying, 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

that  no  tribe  or  nation,  from  the  oldest  history  to 
the  present  day,  which  has  not  used  alcohol  as  a 
beverage,  nor  opiates  as  a  habit,  ever  had  among  its 
people,  Monomania,  Melancholia,  or  any  of  their 
kindred  nervous  insanities. 

"It  is  not  my  purpose  to  fortify  my  argument  with 
extracts  or  quotations  from  sacred  books,  but  in  the 
Bible  of  the  Jews  we  find  a  history  that  in  its  narra- 
tive records  the  daily  life  and  action  of  tribes  and 
nations,  of  communities  and  families,  and  of  men  and 
women  ;  that  allows  nothing  of  interest  to  escape, 
either  in  its  mental,  moral,  or  natural  gleanings.  We 
find  that  no  drunken  people  were  mentioned  until 
the  days  of  Noah,  and  his  drunkenness  was  thought 
a  shame. 

"The  inference  is  that  the  tribes  of  Moses  used 
wine  as  a  table  luxury,  as  in  his  rules  for  sacrifices  he 
directs  the  use  of  a  hin  of  oil  and  half  a  hin  of  wine. 
We  see  that  in  his  time  the  inordinate  use  of  wine 
was  condemned,  as  it  is  to  the  end  of  the  history ; 
and  its  abuse  was  no  doubt  spreading,  but  as  yet 
there  was  no  mention  of  insanity,  and  Moses  dealt 
with  every  possible  relation  of  life  and  spoke  of 
those  in  bondage  and  in  prisons. 

"  Further  down,  in  Deuteronomy,  we  find  that  the 
stubborn  son  was  a  glutton  and  a  drunkard  ;  that  he 
was  condemned  to  be  stoned  to  death ;  and  the 
mother  of  Samson  was  commanded  to  drink  no  wine 


312  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

or  strong  drink  that  her  child  might  be  perfect  in 
strength.  This  recognizes  not  only  the  injury  of 
alcohol,  but  also  that  its  weakness  will  be  inherited. 
As  yet  we  see  no  mention  of  insanity  as  a  state  of 
being.  Further  on  we  find  that  the  insane  and 
hereditary  effects  of  alcohol  are  being  noticed. 

"  Isaiah  says,  'Woe  unto  them  that  rise  up  early 
in  the  morning  that  they  may  follow  strong  drink ; 
they  regard  not  the  work  of  the  Lord,  neither  con- 
sider the  operation  of  His  hands.  Therefore  My 
people  are  gone  into  captivity  because  they  have 
no  knowledge.'  And,  'Woe  to  them  that  are  mighty 
to  drink  wine,  and  men  of  strength  to  mingle  strong 
drink  ;  their  root  shall  be  as  rottenness,  and  their 
blossom  shall  go  up  as  dust.' 

"  Isaiah  not  only  condemns  the  use  of  wine  and 
strong  drink  as  a  means  of  stimulation,  but  refers  to 
insane  actions  of  the  most  positive  nature,  and 
through  him  the  Lord  says,  '  I  will  choose  their 
delusions  and  bring  their  fears  upon  them.'  These 
are  the  first  intimations  that  we  find  in  the  Jewish 
history  of  the  knowledge  of  insanity  from  internal 
causes. 

"  That  the  dire  effects  of  alcohol  were  appreciated 
by  these  ancient  people  may  be  inferred  by  the  story 
of  the  Rechabite  that  he  and  his  children  would  not 
drink  wine,  and  the  Lord  commended  it  by  saying, 
'  Jonadab,  the  son  of  Rechab,  shall  not  want  a  man 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  313 

to  stand  before  Me  forever.'  In  all  this  we  find  an 
element  that  Moses  knew  not  of,  and  of  which  Sol- 
omon, with  a  knowledge  of  all  the  earth,  made  no 
mention ,  because  it  had  not  yet  appeared  to  either 
of  them ;  and  we  can  safely  infer  that  the  abuse  of 
alcohol  was  not  common  until  after  they  had  passed 
away;  that  when  it  spread  to  be  an  evil  the  writers 
of  the  time  noted  its  action  upon  the  man,  his  reason, 
and  his  heredity. 

"  Let  us  notice  the  North  American  Indian.  We 
have  known  of  him  four  hundred  years  ;  have  been 
intimately  acquainted  with  him  two  hundred.  We 
came  into  his  domains  and  built  Insane  Asylums  all 
around  him.  Did  he  have  use  for  them  ?  Not  until 
within  this  century.  Why  does  he  use  them  now  ? 

"He  could  be  made  insane,  when  first  we  knew 
him,  by  blows  upon  the  head  ;  for  after  a  terrible  bat- 
tle, a  warrior  left  the  trail  and  wandered  into  a  settle- 
ment, not  knowing  where  he  was,  and  frightened 
women  with  his  soulless  stare,  and  noticed  not  his 
enemies,  the  men — who  took  him  to  their  jail  ami 
searched  for  causes  for  his  insanity  and  found  a  cavity 
upon  his  skull  where  a  bullet  had  plowed  its  way. 
They  kept  him  there  for  years,  until  he  died.  No 
monomaniacal  Indian  came  to  keep  him  company, 
and  no  hysteric  squaw.  He  died  alone,  although 
his  tribe  filled  the  adjacent  forest  and  numbered 
thousands. 


314  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

"The  Indian  knew  not  alcohol  until  we  gave  it  to 
him  and  bade  him  drink.  Neither  had  he  known  of 
the  insanity  that  lurks  within  ;  but  now  he  wanders 
from  his  reservations,  knocks  at  the  doors  of  our 
Asylums,  and  has  his  delusions  and  his  spells,  the 
same  as  the  man  whose  ancestors  cursed  his  race 
with  the  drink  that  kills  the  mind. 

"  The  Aztec  architect  designed  no  Asylums  for  the 
insane  ;  neither  did  the  Aztec  fill  himself  with  alco- 
hol. Some  of  his  tribes  exist  to-day,  whose  minds 
are  peaceful  and  serene — his  children  and  their  grand- 
children ;  but  they  use  no  wine ;  while  others 
mingled  their  blood  with  the  Spaniard,  and  drank 
with  him,  and  now,  behind  the  latticed  doors,  we  see 
the  ugly  traces  and  hear  the  murderous  tones  of 
Mexico's  aguardiente. 

"  We  will  now  contemplate,  separately,  the  Ger- 
man, the  American,  the  French,  and  the  Scandina- 
vians around  us,  and  study  their  characteristic 
insanities  and  delusions,  leaving  out  of  sight  the 
erratic  movements  of  individuals,  but  charging  our 
minds  with  the  impressions  of  the  class  ;  and  then 
we  will  go  into  my  office  and  discuss  the  reasons  why 
they  are  unlike  in  action  although  similar  in  affliction." 

"Judging  from  these,  and  from  those  whom  you 
have  seen  in  their  spells  of  greater  delusion,  you 
decide  that  the  German  insanity  develops  quietness 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  315 

and  melancholy  ;  the  American,  combativeness  and 
noise  ;  the  French,  excitement  and  caprice  ;  and  the 
Scandinavian,  stupidity  and  cataleptic  rest  ;*  and  I 
will  show  to  you  where  all  of  these  demonstrations 
agree  perfectly  with  the  action  of  their  national 
drinks  upon  an  untainted  individual  of  any  nation. 

"  The  earlier  Teutons  had  no  monomaniacs  and 
their  wives  were  not  hysteric  nor  melancholy.  Their 
posterity  brewed  beer  and  drank  it  as  a  beverage. 
Let  us  follow  its  action. 

"  The  proportion  of  alcohol  was  small,  and  vast 
quantities  were  needed  to  produce  stimulation.  It 
diluted  the  gastric  juices ;  weakened  their  powers ; 
clogged  the  digestive  organs  with  unassimilated  food, 
which  irritated  the  nerves  that  centre  in  the  stomach  ; 
these  reflected  their  disturbed  action  upon  the  brain 
and  carried  there  the  complaints  of  every  organ  that 
suffered  for  the  nourishment  of  the  undigested  food. 
The  brain  brooded  over  their  woes  with  the  melan- 
choly helplessness  of  the  dyspeptic  ;  its  sorrows 
became  chronic  and  were  transmitted  to  its  posterity 
as  a  part  of  their  inheritance.  Germans  are  here,  and 
they  act  precisely  as  their  ancestors  did  under  the 
baneful  influence  of  beer. 

"  Melancholy  is  a  German  characteristic,  you  say, 
and  I  deny  this.  Those  who  are  uncontaminated  by 
hereditary  taint  are  cheerful,  joyous,  full  of  song  and 

*  See  Chapter  XII  of  the  Btory. 


316  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

lauo-hter:  with  mind  and  soul  attuned  to  music  and 

o 

the  dance.  Melancholy  dwells  with  beer  and  ale. 
You  find  its  haunts  in  Britain,  where  it  gathers 
around  the  pewter  cups  of  ale.  You  find  the  Briton 
here,  who  helps  to  swell  the  sorrow  of  Melancholia. 

"The  melancholy  Dane  drank  beer;  and  Ophelia 
was  a  Danish  daughter. 

"  The  stomach  and  the  brain  are  in  active  sympa- 
thy ;  and  the  nerves  become  depressed  from  carrying 
messages  of  distress  that  are  constant  in  their  com- 
plaints ;  Melancholia  takes  possession  of  the  being 
as  a  property,  and  transmits  sorrow  to  its  inheritors, 
with  all  the  titles  that  it  has  acquired. 

"  The  American  is  a  genial  soul,  and  peaceable ; 
patient  and  slow  to  resent  an  injury ;  calm  and  reflect- 
ive. This,  when  he  stands  with  an  untainted  man- 
hood. His  ancient  ancestors  had  no  insane,  except 
from  hurts,  or  frights,  or  scenes  of  sorrow ;  nothing 
that  comes  from  within.  His  fathers  rotted  grain, 
and  distilled  their  decaying  sugars,  then  rectified  the 
product  and  drank  it,  under  different  names.  We 
will  call  it  Whisky,  and  determine  its  action. 

"  Its  direct  attack  is  upon  the  liver,  which  it  in- 
flames; it  prevents  the  proper  action  of  the  bile,  that 
is  diverted  from  natural  uses  and  poured  into  the 
blood,  which  carries  the  acrid  product,  mingled  with 
whisky,  directly  to  the  brain.  The  nerves  resent  the 
intrusion,  savagely  protest,  and  stimulate  the  motive 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

forces  to  expulsion.  The  drinker  fortifies  the  enemy 
and  sends  it  new  recruits  ;  then  the  enraged  nerves 
retire  the  mental  leaders  and  assume  command. 
With  impulsive  movements  they  impel  the  forces  to 
useless  combats  and  unreasoning  strife;  they  clench 
the  hands  to  strike,  and  attune  the  voice  to  rage. 
This  is  all  repeated  until  the  nervous  warfare  be- 
comes a  state  of  being ;  then  the  passions  send  the 
insanity  of  whisky  to  the  brain  and  nerves  of  pos- 
terity. 

"Some  of  them  who  come  here  and  strike,  and 
curse,  and  see  the  serpents  and  demons  that  he  saw 
in  his  drunkenness,  have  never  tasted  his  whisky, 
but  they  are  the  children  of  his  sons  and  daughters  ; 
his  ways  are  theirs ;  his  impulses  are  their  insanities  ; 
and  his  deliriums  are  their  delusions. 

"The  Irish  act  precisely  like  them.  Their  drink 
is  whisky. 

"The  Frenchman's  wine  goes  quickly  to  the  blood 
and  seeks  the  brain.  The  willing  nerves  sip  the 
enchanting  stimulant  and  carry  its  excitement  jn 
flashes  to  every  muscle  in  the  body.  Its  strength  is 
soon  expended,  and  the  enamored  nerves  plead  for 
repetition.  He  drinks  again  and  often.  With  his 
blood  on  fire,  his  brain  confounded,  and  his  elated 
nerves  quivering  with  excitement,  he  gives  to  futurity 
the  insanity  of  wine. 

"  His    children   walk  along  the  corridors  of  the 


318  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

Asylum  with  nervous  menaces  that  mean  no  harm ; 
with  excited  speech  that  bears  no  malice ;  with  flash- 
ing eyes  that  never  threaten,  and  imitate  their  fathers 
as  they  reveled. 

"Again  you  disagree  with  me  and  say,  'France  is 
excitable.'  This  has  a  seeming  of  truth,  but  the  tribes 
from  which  they  are  descended  were  not  thus.  May 
not  a  thing  that  changes  nerve  action  and  transmits 
defective  brains  to  posterity,  spread  its  influence  to 
everything  pertaining  to  a  people  and  make  them  as 
another  race — an  evolution  from  the  vineyard  ? 

"And  Scandinavia?  Beer  and  wine  were  as 
water,  and  whisky  weak  to  the  taste.  Her  sons 
took  alcohol  and  unrectified  spirits  and  drank  to 
drunkenness. 

"The  alcohol  attacked  the  brain,  as  do  all  liquors 
in  other  countries,  but  a  strange  variance  came  with 
its  effects.  As  the  Norwegian  multiplied  his  drinks, 
his  tongue  grew  quiet ;  another,  and  his  eyes  were 
fixed  in  his  head  ;  and  then  the  muscles  of  his  face 
grew  rigid.  With  stiffened  arm  he  took  the  last 
deep  draught ;  and  later,  sat  or  lay  as  if  a  man  of 
stone,  or  as  if  frozen  by  the  winds  of  Iceland. 

"What  touched  his  muscles?  His  heart  beat 
strong  and  his  pulse  was  full,  but  he  was  like  a  dead 
man.  A  something  in  the  unrectified  fire  had  put  its 
arms  around  his  sinews,  as  well  as  around  his  brain 
and  nerves,  and  held  them  in  rigidity. 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  319 

'  They  live  in  our  country  now,  and  do  not  dr'nk 
the  alcohol  or  the  unrectified  spirits  of  their  fathers  ; 
but  when  they  come  to  the  Asylum,  their  spells  reflect 
the  drunken  scenes  in  distant  Norway  ;  the  quiet 
tongue,  the  staring  eyes,  the  rigid  muscles,  and  the 
cataleptic  rest. 

"  Is  this  a  national  characteristic? 

"  The  stamp  of  the  drink  of  their  ancestors  is 
upon  the  insane  of  all  people,  as  plain  to  be  seen  as 
the  inscription  upon  the  coin  of  their  country ;  and 
the  insanity  of  the  Asylum  is  the  inherited  insanity 
of  the  bar-room. 

"  What  of  the  spells  ?  those  higher  strains  along 
the  dirges  of  delusion. 

"The  moon!  What  subtle  fluid  lies  in  the  depths 
of  its  frozen  chasms,  throwing  vapor  into  space 
to  cloud  the  minds  of  men  and  intoxicate  their 
thoughts  ?  The  idea  is  folly  and  reflects  insanity. 
The  moon  casts  her  feeble  light  around  the  room  ; 
the  unsteady  brain  sees  forms,  and  ghostly  garments, 
among  the  lights  and  shades  ;  and  fear  or  vengeance 
takes  possession  of  the  man,  who  rends  the  air  with 
screams  or  curses.  A  bonfire  just  without  his  win- 
dow would  have  the  same  effect.  In  total  darkness 
he  is  quiet 

"  If  qualities  are  hereditary,  their  peculiarities  and 
variations  will  be  transmitted  with  them. 

"  The  son  of  the  Japanese  acrobat  steps  from  the 


320  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

cradle  to  the  slack-rope  and  waves  his  fan  to  the 
measure  of  equilibrium.  He  climbs  the  swaying 
bamboo ;  stands  upon  the  top  and  fans  himself  in 
unconcern.  His  ancestral  tribe  were  gymnasts  ; 
from  them  he  inherited  his  supple  muscles  and  his 
steady  nerves ;  and  with  these,  came  their  tendency 
to  special  action — the  swinging  of  the  rope  and  the 
swaying  of  the  bamboo.  The  movements  of  his 
brain  are  regular  and  in  accord  with  nerve-action. 
His  fathers  used  neither  alcohol  nor  opiates;  and  just 
as  their  brains  acted,  with  all  the  shades  of  variation 
from  those  of  other  men,  so  does  his. 

"  Let  us  enquire  of  our  ancestors  regarding  their 
methods  in  the  use  of  alcoholic  drinks. 

"  They  tell  us  that  at  the  first  it  was  used  to  em- 
phasize the  triumph  of  their  victories  ;  that  after 
their  feasts  the  women  went  from  the  table  that  the 
revelers  might  be  free  to  drink  the  quantities  that 
bring  a  fierce  hilarity.  Then  they  drank  to  uncon- 
sciousness, and  found  themselves,  in  the  morning, 
scattered  about  the  floor.  Some  were  killed  and 
others  injured  by  the  insane  vigor  of  their  rioting. 
They  tell  us  that  they  did  not  use  it  daily ;  that  there 
were  no  saloons  that  mixed  the  morning  dram  or 
drew  the  evening  draught ;  but  that  they  met 
together  occasionally  and  drank  until  they  were  filled. 

'  Their  sons  inherited  their  tastes  and  soon  began 
to  drink  daily ;  but  always,  when  they  met  together 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  321 

in  boon  companionship,  would  rival  their  fathers  in 
their  excesses  ;  then  refrain  awhile,  and  then  indulge 
upon  another  meeting.  The  inebriate  of  our  times 
follows  in  their  footsteps.  His  desires  impel  him  to 
excesses  ;  then  he  controls  himself  and  drinks  in 
moderation  ;  and  now  the  clamoring  nerves  demand 
their  stimulant,  the  body  and  the  mind  consent,  and 
soon  he  reels  amid  the  mazes  of  delirium. 

11  And  the  moderate  drinker — he  with  the  conceit 
of  self-control  mingling  with  the  breath  of  indulgence 
and  shining  in  his  dulled  eyes — finds  that  his  desires 
swell  and  demand  gratification ;  that  he  has  his  spells 
of  intemperance,  and  then  the  lull,  when  his  mind 
believes  itself  safe  from  the  dementia  of  alcohol. 

"  The  whole  history  of  the  effect  of  drink  upon 
the  body,  the  nerves,  and  the  brain,  is  one  of  ebbs 
and  flows,  as  a  tide  upon  the  seashore ;  and  the  quiet 
and  the  spells  of  the  people  who  pace  the  corridors 
and  sit  in  the  groves  of  the  Asylums,  are  only  fea- 
tures of  an  hereditary  whole. 

"This  is  my  first  conclusion:  That  the  insane 
from  violent  causes  can  be  found  among  every  nation 
and  tribe  of  the  earth ;  and  even  among  the  brute 
creation ;  and  that  their  demonstrations  are  identical. 

"  This  is  my  second  conclusion :  That  the  insanity 
which  develops  from  within,  and  is  indicated  by  spells 
and  delusions,  can  only  be  found  among  the  people 
whose  ancestry  have  used  alcohol  or  opiates ;  and 


21 


322  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

that  the  mental  and  nervous  action  of  their  different 
forms  places  an  hereditary  stamp  upon  the  individual 
sufferer. 

11  This  suggests  that  insanity  is  a  disease,  which 
develops  along  the  same  lines  of  action  that  distin- 
guish all  hereditary  diseases  —  consumption,  for 
instance — and  applies  itself  in  the  same  erratic  man- 
ner ;  perhaps  by  afflicting  one  of  a  family  in  this 
generation,  while  the  others  escape,  and  perhaps 
seizing  upon  several  in  the  next.  In  this  Asylum 
are  a  father  and  his  son,  two  brothers,  a  brother  and 
a  sister,  two  sisters  and  their  brother ;  and  cases  are 
not  rare  in  which  every  individual  of  a  generation 
has  been  affected,  while  the  evil  is  spreading  with  a 
rapidity  that  bears  upon  its  flight  the  horrors  of  an 
earthly  hell." 

I  went  away  with  food  for  thought 


JUDGE  HERON'S  INVESTIGATIONS. 

Continued. 

High  walls,  enclosing  space  where  men  are  walk- 
ing, thinking,  talking,  weeping,  shouting,  praying 
and  blaspheming. 

?/>//V>x^  - 

PON  this  fair  earth 
there  is  a  spot  which 
holds  within  its  boun- 
daries  the  sum  of 
human  miseries.  No 
thoughts  so  dread 
that  they  find  not 
here  a  lodgment  in 
the  brains  of  men*; 
no  words  so  loath- 
some that  they  find  not  here  a  voice ;  no  curse  so 
fearful  that  it  finds  not  here  a  tongue  to  utter ;  np 
prayer  so  agonizing  that  it  finds  not  here  a  soul  to 
repeat. 

All  the  repulsive  creations  of  hallucination  are 
here  thrown  upon  the  sight ;  all  the  sounds  of  dis- 
cord are  forced  upon  the  ear.  The  Asylum  for  the 
Insane! 

I  had  written  Doctor  Peters  to  know  if  there  was 


324  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

other  evidence  tending  to  prove  the  truth  of  his  con- 
clusions regarding  the  relation  of  alcohol  to  insanity, 
and  he  had  answered  by  an  invitation  to  spend  a  day 
with  him  in  the  Asylum  for  the  purpose  of  further 
observation.  In  accordance  with  this  invitation  I 
reached  the  Asylum  at  an  early  hour,  and  while  the 
Doctor  was  absent  upon  his  morning  round  of 
inspection  and  attendance,  I  read  from  a  slip  of  paper 
which  he  had  placed  in  my  hand,  saying:  "This  is 
my  further  conclusion.  We  will  examine  the  proofs 
upon  my  return." 

The  paper  said :  "  The  history  of  the  action  of 
alcohol  upon  the  mind  embraces  a  record  of  peculiar 
delusions  and  hallucinations.  This  action  can  be 
traced  among  those  afflicted  with  inherited  insanity 
by  these  peculiarities,  bearing  an  identity  with  the 
action  of  a  disease  called  delirium-tremens,  which 
indicates  the  delusion  of  loathsome  or  creeping 
things,  demons,  skeletons,  and  other  hideous  forms; 
horrible  situations,  fearful  surroundings,  or  sorrowful 
emotions ;  and  this  action  is  distinguished  from  that 
of  all  other  insanities  by  these  special  and  character- 
istic demonstrations.  '  I  will  choose  their  delusions 
and  bring  their  fears  upon  them.' " 

Upon  his  return  he  put  upon  his  memorandum 
several  names,  with  dates  and  accompanying  remarks, 
which  he  took  from  an  indexed  book  that  bore  the 
evidence  of  much  use,  and  afterwards  passed  out  at 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  325 

the  door,  inviting  me  to  follow.  He  led  the  way  to 
a  little  cottage  upon  the  grounds  that  had  at  one 
time  served  the  purpose  of  a  gardener's  home  and 
afterwards  that  of  a  workshop,  in  which  were  articles 
needing  repair,  workmen's  benches,  painters'  and  tin- 
ners' tools. 

A  German  workman,  of  intelligent  air  and  pleasant 
face,  was  engaged  at  one  of  the  benches  constructing 
tinners'-ware  of  the  kinds  in  use  about  the  Asylum, 
and  as  we  led  him  into  conversation  he  talked  as  one 
well  versed  in  matters  of  ordinary  thought ;  showed 
to  us  the  articles  which  he  had  wrought,  and  referred 
with  pride  to  their  serviceable  appearance.  Soon  I 
became  the  object  of  his  fixed  attention,  and  as  he 
looked  into  my  face  I  saw  his  eyes  filling  with  tears. 

Ignoring  the  Doctor's  presence,  and  with  the  over- 
flowing tears  streaming  down  his  cheeks,  he  told  the 
story  of  his  delusions  : 

"I  am  wasting  away  and  soon  must  die.  In  all 
the  food  they  give  to  me  I  find  a  poison  and  cannot 
eat ;  white  powders,  green  drugs  and  poison  drops 
they  put  in  meat  and  bread  and  soup.  I  cannot  go 
from  here.  All  around,  in  the  woods  and  on  the  hills, 
they  have  stationed  men  to  bring  me  back  should  I 
attempt  to  go  away.  The  attendants  meet  together 
and  conspire  and  talk  of  means  to  end  my  life. 
Everywhere  I  go  I  find  the  poisonous  things  pre- 
pared for  me.  The  Doctor  has  it  for  me.  My 


326  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

blood  is  filled  with  poison  that  he  has  given  me.  Now, 
you  have  come.  Your  pockets  are  filled  with  some 
that  is  stronger  and  more  deadly  than  the  others. 
I  know  that  you  will  kill  me.  I  have  only  a  few  more 
hours  to  live.  Have  mercy  and  leave  me  until  to- 
morrow." He  held  his  hands  before  his  face  as  if  in 
prayer.  I  went  out  at  the  door  to  save  him  further 
agony,  and  Doctor  Peters  followed.  Referring  to 
his  memorandum  book,  he  said,  "  His  insanity  came 
upon  him  when  he  was  thirty-eight.  He  is  now 
fifty-four  and  his  case  is  hopeless.  His  father  and 

his  grandfather  were  brewers  in ,  Germany, 

who  drank  freely  of  their  product,  and  he  has  within 
his  brain  the  melancholy  inheritance  of  beer." 

We  went  to  one  who  stood  by  the  wall  of  the 
western  building,  repeating  his  cry  to  passers-by, 
"Tickets  to  hell,  one-fifty  each." 

Doctor  Peters  asked  him  by  what  authority  he 
offered  these,  and  he  answered,  "  The  devil  himself ; 
the  oldest  one  of  them  all."  Then,  turning  to  me,  he 
said,  "  There's  plenty  of  them,  Mister,  a  million  or 
more.  Buy  a  ticket.  I  must  sell  one  every  day,  or  he 
will  come  and  take  me  back.  A  dollar  goes  to 
him  and  fifty  cents  to  me.  Buy  a  ticket.  You  need 
not  pay  me  now  ;  I  will  give  you  thirty  days.  You 
start  next  June." 

I   took  a  ticket  from  him,  then  he  wrote  my  name 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  327 

upon  a  brown  paper,  folded  in  book  form,  which  he 
carried  under  his  arm. 

Doctor  Peters  asked  him  to  relate  to  me  the 
story  of  his  engagement  in  this  service.  We  sat 
upon  a  bench  beside  the  building,  and  with  earnest 
gestures  he  related  his  experience.  These  words  are 
his  :  "  Mister,  'twas  next  day  after  election.  He  come 
to  me  and  said,  '  I  want  some  wood,'  and  I  see 
by  his  looks  that  I'd  have  to  go,  'cause  he  struck  his 
fork  in  the  floor  and  it  sizzled  ;  yes,  sir,  sizzled,  and  I 
heard  it ;  and  his  tail  swung  around  and  threw  off 
sparks  ;  yes,  sir,  threw  off  sparks,  all  over  the  room  ; 
and  I  said  I'd  go,  and  I  went.  He  showed  me  a  big 
hole  in  the  ground,  and  he  said,  '  Put  it  in  there ; ' 
then  he  went  away  ;  then  I  said,  maybe  I  won't. 
When  I  turned  around  there  were  three  little  ones. 
They  didn't  say  anything,  but  looked  at  me — their 
tails  throwing  fire — and  I  said,  maybe  I  will.  I 
went  and  got  the  oxen  and  the  big  wagon,  and  I  drew 
eighty-three  cords  ;  yes,  sir,  eighty-three  cords  of  four- 
foot  wood  ;  and  the  three  little  ones  went  to  the  woods 
with  me,  and  when  I  was  piling  the  wood  on  the 
wagon  they  sat  on  a  log  and  they  set  it  a-fire ;  yes, 
sir,  set  it  a-fire  in  three  places.  When  I  threw  the 
wood  into  that  hole  it  didn't  strike  bottom,  just  kept 
going  down,  and  I  drew  eighty-three  cords.  When 
I  was  standing  on  the  top,  throwing  off  the  last  load, 
the  three  little  ones  pushed  the  wagon,  and  the  wood. 


328  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

and  the  oxen,  and  me,  into  the  hole,  and  we  kept 
going,  and  the  little  ones  flying  around  us  like 
birds ;  yes,  sir,  like  birds ;  their  tails  throwing  fire ; 
I  thought  if  I'd  jump  up  I  wouldn't  strike  hard, 
and  I  jumped  and  struck  in  the  sand  ;  yes,  sir, 
hot  sand,  up  to  my  neck,  and  I  couldn't  get 
out.  Then  a  million  came — like  the  three  little 
ones — I  couldn't  tell  them  apart ;  and  then  the  sparks 
flew  like  a  snow-storm ;  yes,  sir,  a  hot  snow-storm, 
with  the  wind  blowing  hard,  and  it  burned  my  face, 
and  they  crawled  into  the  sand  all  around  me — a  half 
a  million  of  them — and  stuck  their  forks  into  me, 
and  they  sizzled ;  yes,  sir,  sizzled,  and  I  could  smell 
it.  'Twas  getting  hot,  and  I  was  getting  thirsty. 
The  big  one  came  up  out  of  the  sand.  I  asked  him 
if  I  could  have  some  whisky,  and  he  said,  '  You  can/ 
He  had  a  cup  like  a  thimble,  and  I  said,  'That isn't 
enough '  ;  and  the  cup  began  to  grow  and  got  as  big 
as  a  pail  ;  yes,  sir,  as  big  as  a  pail,  and  bursted,  and 
the  whisky  went  into  the  sand  ;  yes,  sir,  into  the 
sand,  and  I  could  smell  it ;  and  he  went  away,  and 
they  all  went  away, 

"A  big  god  came  and  asked  me  if  I  wanted  to  get 
out,  and  I  said,  '  I  don't  like  the  climate  ;  I  wish  you 
would  get  me  out;'  and  he  took  me  by  the  hair  and 
pulled  me  out  of  the  sand,  and  he  said,  'Come  on;' 
yes,  sir,  he  said,  'Come  on,  where  it's  cooler ;'  and  he 
took  me  up  by  a  long  road,  and  he  showed  me  where 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  329 

he  lived,  and  said,  'You  can  see  the  trees,  and  the 
flowers,  and  the  women,  but  you  can't  stay,  'cause  I 
want  you  to  go  back  and  sell  tickets  for  heaven ;'  and 
I  said,  '  I  don't  want  to  go  back  ;  I  like  the  climate ;' 
but  he  said,  'You  must,'  and  I  said,  'If  I  must,  send 

me  to ,  Missouri,  eighty-three  miles  from  St. 

Louis,'  and  he  said,  'That's  all  right,'  and  he  give 
me  tickets  and  I  went ;  and  I'd  just  got  there  when 
the  big  one  and  the  three  little  ones  came,  and  he 
said,  '  I  won't  have  it  that  way.  You  go  to  Illinois 
and  sell  tickets  for  hell,  one-fifty  each,  and  one  a  day, 
or  I'll  call  for  you;'  and  he  struck  his  fork  in  the 
ground,  and  it  sizzled — yes,  sir,  sizzled — and  I  heard 
it,  and  his  tail  swung  round  and  throwed  fire — yes, 
sir,  throwed  fire — and  burned  the  grass ;  and  I  went, 
and  he  comes  every  month  for  his  money." 

Doctor  Peters  said,  "  He  was  committed  to  this 
Asylum  soon  after  an  attack  of  delirium-tremens, 
from  which  he  passed  into  a  monomaniacal  state, 
which  indicated  in  its  demonstrations  all  the  impres- 
sions made  upon  his  senses  by  the  delirium  of  drink. 
In  a  year  he  had  apparently  recovered  and  was  dis- 
charged. Soon  he  was  returned  to  us,  again  with  the 
tickets  for  sale,  he  having  visited  a  friendly  saloon- 
keeper who  gave  him  several  drinks  of  whisky.  The 
indications  of  his  disease  now  comprehend  both  the 
direct  and  inherited  effect  of  alcohol.  These  cases 
are  hopeless." 


330  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

We  went  from  him  to  another,  who  had  built  a 
rude  arbor  of  poles  and  cotton  sacking  across  the 
angle  of  the  fences  which  enclosed  the  Asylum 
grounds.  This  he  occupied  as  a  retreat  during  the 
pleasant  days.  He  was  not  averse  to  the  presence 
of  visitors  and  was  easily  led  to  tell  the  story  of  his 
hallucinations,  which  he  directed  to  Doctor  Peters  in 
these  words  :  "  Doctor,  you  think  I'm  crazy,  but  if  a 
man  sees  things  and  tells  about  'em  presizerly  as  he 
sees  'em  he  can't  be  an  idyot,  can  he  ?  and  I  can  tell 
you  all  about  it.  I  was  born  in  Yorkshire,  thirty 
miles  from  Sheffield,  and  I  came  to  Massachusetts 
when  I  was  seven  years  old,  with  my  father  and  my 
mother.  He  worked  in  a  factory  and  she  worked  in 
a  factory.  I  went  to  school.  My  father  made  trouble 
with  my  mother  when  she  drank  so  much  gin  that 
she  couldn't  work,  and  he  called  her  names  and  said 
her  mother  was  an  old  gin-drinker,  too.  Doctor,  it's 
the  best  drink  in  the  world ;  and  I  run  away  and  got 
to  Wisconsin,  among  the  lumber,  and  I  staid  there 
thirty  years,  then  went  down  to  Chicago,  and  they 
said  I  was  crazy.  Doctor,  if  a  man  sees  things  and 
tells  about  'em  presizerly  as  he  sees  'em  he  can't  be 
an  idyot,  can  he  ?  and  first  I  knew  I  was  in  a  ship 
sailing  seventeen  miles  an  hour,  and  it  went  by  Lab- 
rador and  Esquador,  and  Esquemo.  It  cut  through 
icebergs  and  it  shaved  off  the  ends  of  islands ;  it  went 
through  the  Baffing  sea,  the  Polar  sea,  the  great 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  331 

Johanner  sea,  and  struck  into  a  great  unknown  petri- 
fied ocean.  It  was  so  cold  that  it  froze  ice  back  to 
water ;  and  a  whale  started  for  the  ship.  Doctor, 
when  a  man  sees  things  and  tells  about  'em  presizerly 
as  he  sees  'em,  he  can't  be  an  idyot,  can  he  ? 

"  The  whale  was  just  six  hundred  and  sixty  miles 
long,  and  he  was  after  me,  but  he  couldn't  swallow 
me,  'cause  the  sun  was  just  by  the  meridian,  on  the 
pole,  and  threw  my  shadow  fourteen  thousand  miles 
beyond  the  earth,  and  he  couldn't  get  that  down. 
He  raised  the  frills  around  his  neck,  Elizabethean 
frills  like  the  old-fashioned  women  in  pictures,  and  he 
fluttered  the  ruffles  along  his  back,  running  to  within 
a  mile  of  his  tail — ruffles  like  women's  skirts,  six 
hundred  and  fifty  miles  long  and  ten  feet  high — and 
drove  his  head  against  the  ship,  and  shook  thirteen 
sailors  off  the  yards,  and  they  sunk  to  the  bottom.  I 
could  see  'em  gasping  for  breath,  and  then  he  went 
away.  Doctor,  if  a  man  sees  things  and  tells  about 
'em  presizerly  as  he  sees  'em,  he  can't  be  an  idyot,  can 
he  ?  He  come  back,  and  the  dragon  couldn't  swim, 
and  lay  along  his  back,  among  the  ruffles,  six  hundred 
and  fifty-nine  miles  long,  and  six  feet  through  ;  his 
head  was  fourteen  feet  wide  and  his  mouth  was  just 

that  lono-.     I  knew  he  was  after  me.     He  wound  him- 
t> 

self  round  and  round  the  ship  and  all  about  the  sails, 
till  I  couldn't  throw  a  shadow  ;  then  he  laid  his  head 
on  the  deck  in  front  of  me  and  opened  his  mouth. 


332  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

Doctor,  if  a  man  sees  things  and  tells  about  'em  pre- 
sizerly  as  he  sees  'em,  he  can't  be  an  idyot,  can  he  ? 
His  teeth  were  gangs  of  saws,  and  they  laid  in  length- 
ways, and  sideways  and  crossways,  and  everyways, 
and  filled  his  mouth  clear  down  his  throat,  and  he 
started  for  me,  and  I  ketched  up  a  fifty  gallon  barrel 
of  mess  pork  and  threw  it  into  his  mouth,  and  he 
shut  down  on  it.     When  he  tasted  it  he  got  mad  and 
squeezed  the  ship  with  his  coils,  and  couldn't  smash 
it.    He  squeezed  it  so  hard  that  he  broke  himself  into 
a  million  pieces,  and  it  was  so  cold  that  he  turned 
to  water  and  run  all  over  the  deck,  and  I  had  to  swim  ; 
and   then  the   ship   started  for  Chicago,  seventeen 
thousand    miles   an    hour.     Doctor,  you   think  I'm 
crazy,  but  if  a  man  sees   things  and  tells  about  'em 
presizerly   as   he   sees    'em,  he  can't    be  an    idyot, 
can  he  ? " 

This  ended  his  narative,  and  he  could  not  be  per- 
suaded to  continue. 

Said  the  Doctor,  after  referring  to  his  memoran- 
dum, "  He  was  forty  years  of  age  when  committed 
here.  His  insanity  has  all  the  indications  of  heredity 
and  his  afflictions  are  but  variations  from  the  usual 
horrors  which  invariably  accompany  the  insanity  of 
drink.  His  mother  and  his  grandmother  gave  him 
the  curse  of  gin.  He  never  suffered  from  an  attack 
of  delirium-tremens,  but  when  his  insanity  developed 
its  serpent  broke  upon  his  vision. 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  333 

"We  will  now  visit  another  of  whose  hallucina- 
tions you  can  only  give  a  hint.  Were  you  to  write 
his  story,  the  loathsome  pages  would  not  be  read." 

We  entered  the  hospital  ward  and  went  to  the 
room  of  a  man  who  was  seated  on  an  invalid's  chair, 
and  who,  as  he  saw  me,  began  his  every-day  appeal, 
"Take  me  away  where  I  can  sleep  in  a  house. 
Every  night  they  take  me  to  the  cemetery  and  lay  me 
among  the  dead  ;  the  new  dead  ;  the  dead  last  year  ; 
the  old  dead  ;  the  skeletons ;  and  they  rise  up  and 
come  to  me " 

Doctor  Peters  referred  to  his  memorandum  and 
said,  "  His  history  and  that  of  his  father  we  know.  • 

His  father  was  committed  to  the Asylum, 

Massachusetts,  at  the  age  of  fifty-five,  for  insanity 
caused  by  the  direct  effects  of  rum.  The  son,  who 
is  before  you,  has  a  mania  for  rum  and  was  drunk 
with  it  several  times  before  the  age  of  ten.  From 
the  age  of  eighteen  to  twenty-five  he  drank  rum 
incessantly,  but  never  had  delirium-tremens.  During 
the  year  in  which  he  was  twenty-five  he  began  to  run 
into  the  neighbors'  houses  at  night  to  escape  from 
the  dead  men,  and  this  action  sent  him  here.  They 
come  to  him  every  night,  and  will  do  so  while  he 
lives.  There  is  no  hope  for  his  recovery." 

The  Doctor  rapped  at  the  door  of  another,  who 
opened  it  and  cordially  invited  us  to  enter  and  be 
seated  upon  his  bed.  In  answer  to  a  question 


334  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

regarding  his  health,  he  answered,  "  I'm  all  right 
to-day ; "  and  when  asked  for  his  story,  he  freely  and 
intelligently  gave  it. 

"  I  am  by  birth  a  Dane,  and  came  to  America  at 
the  age  of  fourteen  to  avoid  the  military  require- 
ments of  my  country.  My  sister  lived  in  Chicago, 
and  through  her  influence  I  obtained  employment  in 
a  small  grocery.  In  after  years  I  was  employed  in  a 

larger  one  on  the  corner  of  Division  and  

streets.  When  I  was  twenty-five  my  sister  made  a 
visit  to  our  old  home  to  see  our  mother  and  bring 
her  here,  our  father  having  died  and  left  her  alone, 
as  we  were  the  only  children.  Soon  I  received  a 
letter  from  my  mother  telling  me  that  my  sister  was 
insane.  As  my  mother  was  possessed  of  property 
sufficient  for  their  needs,  she  was  to  be  cared  for  at 
home,  as  she  was  not  violent,  except  at  periods  of 
short  duration,  when  she  saw  horrible  forms  in  her 
room.  I  held  a  good  position  and  decided  to  remain 
in  Chicago.  I  had  no  thought  of  insanity  coming  to 
me,  as  none  had  ever  been  known  in  the  families  of 
cither  my  father  or  my  mother,  and  I  had  supposed 
that  the  fatigue  of  the  journey  and  the  sudden  joy  of 
meeting  with  our  mother  had  brought  it  upon  my 
sister.  When  I  was  twenty-eight,  about  two  weeks 
before  my  intended  marriage,  I  came  home  late  from 
a  visit  to  my  intended  wife,  and  as  I  entered  my 
room  I  saw  through  the  darkness  a  dead  girl,  the 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  335 

face  that  of  one  who  was  my  schoolmate,  standing 
by  my  bed,  her  hand  upon  my  pillow.  It  was  not 
hallucination,  sir ;  I  saw  the  outlines  of  her  form  and 
the  movements  of  the  white  garments  that  were 
wrapped  around  her  as  she  stepped  from  the  bed  to 
a  table  in  the  centre  of  the  room  and  laid  her  head 
upon  it.  Soon  she  raised  it,  and  turning,  walked  out 
at  the  window.  In  a  fascination  of  terror  I  went  to 
the  window  and  looked  out  to  see  if  she  would  return, 
but  saw  no  signs  of  her.  I  heard  the  rumbling  of 
the  Milwaukee  night  express,  and  suddenly,  over  the 
roofs  of  the  neighboring  buildings,  I  saw  its  head- 
light rushing  directly  towards  me.  I  ran  from  the 
window,  fearing  to  be  crushed  by  the  train,  but  as  it 
came  near,  it  turned  as  on  a  curve  and  stopped. 
There  were  only  two  men  on  board.  They  stepped 
from  a  car  and  sat  beside  a  table  that  suddenly  ap- 
peared upon  the  roof  beneath  my  window,  and  took 
books  from  their  pockets  and  began  to  write.  They 
were  dressed  in  black.  One  had  the  face  of  a  dead 
man,  and  one  the  face  of  Satan  as  I  had  seen  k 
pictured.  They  sat  and  wrote.  An  awful  fear  came 
over  me  and  I  ran  into  the  hall  shouting  for  help. 
When  others  came  and  lighted  the  gas,  I  looked 
again,  out  at  the  window,  and  through  the  dim 
moonlight  I  saw  only  bare  roofs  and  chimney  tops. 
They  told  me  that  I  had  been  dreaming,  and  went 
away.  I  dared  not  sleep,  but  walked  about  the  room 


336  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

until  the  time  for  work,  then  went  to  my  place  in  the 
store. 

"  That  evening  I  went  early  to  bed,  as  my  strength 
was  almost  exhausted.  In  the  night  I  awoke.  The 
dead  girl  lay  by  my  side,  asleep,  her  hand  upon  the 
pillow  by  my  face.  I  sprang  over  her  to  the  floor, 
and  as  I  did  so,  a  great  light  flashed  through  the 
window.  Again  the  Milwaukee  night  express  rum- 
bled over  the  roofs,  the  Satan  and  the  dead  man 
stepped  from  the  train,  sat  by  the  table,  and  wrote  in 
their  books.  Again  I  ran  to  the  hall  and  called  for 
help.  The  next  day  I  was  taken  to  the  court ;  the  next, 
here.  Sometimes,  it  may  be  for  a  month,  I  will  not  see 
them  ;  then  I  awake  and  find  her  lying  by  my  side  ; 
troops  of  headless  women,  like  empty  garments 
standing  erect,  glide  by  us  ;  the  headlight  comes 
over  the  walls ;  yonder,  the  train  curves  by  my 
window ;  the  Satan  and  the  dead  man  in  black 
step  from  it,  sit  by  the  table  and  write. 

"My  father  was  possessed  of  a  comfortable  prop- 
erty, and  my  mother  married  him  because  of  this, 
when  she  was  eighteen  and  he  was  forty-two.  I 
never  saw  my  father  sober.  My  mother  told  my 
sister  that  he  reeled  as  he  came  into  the  bridal  cham- 
ber, and  was  never  free  from  the  influence  of  drink 
during  their  married  life." 

o 

"And  he  is  here  ;  his  only  sister  in  Denmark;  and 
both  insane  from  the  inherited  effects  of  alcohol/' 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  337 

was  the  Doctor's  remark  as  we  went  away  from  him. 

We  went  to  another,  who  was  seated  upon  a  bench 
in  the  corridors  of  a  ward,  and  as  we  approached,  he 
turned  his  sullen  face  towards  us  and  scowled.  With 
a  few  flattering  words,  he  was  led  to  a  cheerful  con- 
versation. His  mental  condition  was  such  that  he 
could  not  give  a  history  of  his  hallucinations,  without 
the  aid  of  leading  questions  to  steady  his  thoughts. 
These  the  Doctor  propounded,  and  this  is  the  result : 

"I  am,  sur.  I'm  an  Irishman  till  I  was  twinty- 
foor.  I  did,  sur;  I  went  till  Ameriky.  Sure,  lots 
av  it.  Potheen.  The  gallin  in  foor  days  ;  onct  in  a 
fwhile  two.  They  did,  sur,  all  av  thim.  My  grand- 
father made  it  in  the  shanty.  Frim  spuds,  sure. 
Harrers,  is  it  ?  minny  av  thim.  Some  av  the  time 
the  nights.  Down  the  sixth  ward ;  thin  in  the 
landin' ;  thin  after  me,  in  me  room.  Not  ivery  night. 
The  wanst  in  a  fwhile.  Yes,  sur,  two  wakes,  or  thra 
wakes.  Shnakes  !  divil  a  shnake.  Min,  sur.  Min 
wid  the  cows'  harns,  and  the  boornin'  toongs,  an'  the 
huffs,  an'  the  fire  in  the  wan  eye.  They  do,  sur. 
They  tear  up  me  shkin  wid  the  lang  harns,  an'  the 
boornin'  toongs  lappin'  me  blud.  Git  aff  frim  thim,  is 
it?  They  do,  sur,  be  howldin'  me  down  wid  the 
huffs,  ontil  the  bed,  and  the  wan  eye  lookin'  in  me 
face,  and  the  harns  a  tearin'  me  shkin,  and  the  toongs 
a  lappin'  an'  a  boornin '." 

The  memorandum  said  that  he  was  committed  to 


338  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

the  Asylum  at  the  age  of  forty-two ;  and  that  he  was 
now  fifty-six. 

We  stood  near  a  room  closed  by  a  solid  door,  and 
soon  the  man  inside  began  to  speak  rapidly,  and  con- 
tinued for  ten  minutes,  sometimes  imploring,  some- 
times expostulating,  and  then  praying.  What  he 
said  would  fill  a  chapter.  This  is  only  a  portion  : 

"  What  makes  you  come  here  with  your  buzzing, 
buzzing,  this  pleasant  day,  when  the  sun  is  shining 
and  the  birds  are  singing  in  the  trees  by  the  windows, 
and  keep  me  from  enjoying  the  little  time  I  have  to 
stay  in  life?  I've  done  nothing  to  you,  that  you 
should  come  to  me  every  day  with  your  buzzing,  and 
buzzing,  and  stand  in  the  middle  of  my  room  waiting 
to  jump  on  me  and  carry  me  away  when  I  am  not 
looking.  I'll  not  look  out  of  the  window  and  give 
you  the  chance  that  you  are  waiting  for.  Don't 
come  nearer  to  me  ;  this  day  the  sun  shines  bright 
and  the  air  is  still  and  the  birds  sing.  The  day  that 
I  must  go  with  you  the  clouds  will  be  as  black  as 
you  are,  and  the  lightning  as  red  as  your  eyes,  and 
the  thunder  so  loud  that  I  cannot  hear  your  buzzing, 
buzzing,  when  you  come  in,  and  then  you  can  come 
upon  me  when  I'm  not  looking,  and  take  me  with 
you.  This  is  not  the  day.  Go  away !  Go  away ! 
Don't  come  so  near  me,  and  reach  out  your  hands 
for  me !  I  must  not  go  when  the  sun  is  shining  and 
the  birds  are  singing.  Let  me  stay.  O,  you  that 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  339 

are  the  ruler  of  all  the  earth,  and  all  things  in  the 
earth,  and  all  places  under  the  earth,  and  have  your 
home  in  the  dark  places,  where  the  black  clouds  roll 
out  and  no  one  can  see  the  mighty  hosts  and  the  ter- 
rible armies  that  are  waiting  to  hear  your  buzzing, 
and  buzzing,  and  know  that  they  can  go  out  and  con- 
quer the  rest  of  the  worlds  and  the  stars.  O,  you 
that  are  more  mighty  than  all  the  other  things  in  all 
the  universe,  and  have  the  millions  and  billions  whom 
you  have  taken  before,  and  have  little  use  for  a  poor 
man,  who  prays  to  you  that  he  may  stay  where  the 
sun  shines  and  the  birds  sing  until  that  day  when 
the  clouds  shall  be  as  black  as  you  are,  and  the 
lightning  as  red  as  your  eyes  ;  I  implore  you  to  go 
away  and  not  put  your  hands  upon  me  this  day,  and 
I  will  praise  you  and  worship  you " 

The  Doctor  suddenly  opened  the  door.  Before 
us  sat  a  man  leaning  far  back  in  his  chair,  with  his 
hands  clasped  before  him,  and  great  drops  of  perspi- 
ration rolling  down  from  his  forehead  and  over  his 
face. 

"Whom  are  you  talking  to?"  said  the  Doctor. 

His  hands  dropped;  he  sought  his  kerchief,  and 
wiped  away  the  perspiration,  saying,  "  It  is  he,  sir." 

"  Who  is,  he  ?  "  asked  the  Doctor. 

"  The  demon,  sir,"  said  the  patient. 

Upon  being  requested  to  describe  him  and  tell  of 
his  actions,  he  said,  "  Didn't  you  see  him  when  you 


340  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

opened  the  door?  He  stood  right  over  me,  his  ten 
hands  raised  to  take  me  away  with  him.  When  you 
came  in  he  made  a  spring  and  went  out  through  the 
ventilator,"  pointing  to  the  ventilating  aperture  near 
the  ceiling,  "and  stopped  buzzing.  He  comes  to 
me  almost  every  day  up  through  the  floor.  I  can 
hear  him  buzzing  like  a  bumble-bee;  that  is  his  talk; 
that  is  all  he  ever  says.  I  know  by  the  way  he  looks 
at  me  and  uses  his  hands,  that  he  wishes  to  take  me 
away,  but  I  talk  to  him  and  pray,  then  he  goes  away ; 
but  some  dark  day,  as  dark  as  he  is,  he  will  take  me. 
He  is  like  a  black  horse  with  a  demon's  head  and 
eyes ;  he  has  long  black  hair ;  ten  long  arms  with 
black  hands ;  he  is  all  black  except  his  eyes — they 
are  red — and  he  grows  blacker  every  year." 
The  memorandum  said,  tl  Fourteen  years." 
The  Doctor  said,  "  The  frightful  imagery  of  alco- 
hol. His  father  was  a  heavy  drinker,  and  so  was  he." 
He  then  opened  the  door  of  a  room  from  which 
the  iron  bedstead  and  its  mattress  had  been  removed 
and  a  pile  of  blankets  substituted  in  their  place.  As 
we  entered,  the  man  within  excitedly  removed  his 
coat  and  began  to  beat  the  floor  with  it,  and  then, 
seemingly  about  to  be  overwhelmed  by  myriads  of 
forms  with  which  he  was  battling,  began  to  stamp 
heavily  with  both  feet,  with  all  the  movements  of 
killing  living  things  and  grinding  them  under  his 
feet.  Suddenly,  upon  looking  towards  the  window, 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

a  great  fear  came  upon  his  face,  and  he  ran  to  the 
corner  of  the  room,  trembling  and  rapidly  exclaiming, 
"Oo— Oo— Oo!  Oo— Oo— Oo!  Ah— Ah— Ah!  Ah 
— Ah — Ah!  Take  it  away!  take  it  away!  Take  it 
away!  Save  me!  save  me!  save  me!"  then  plunged 
into  the  pile  of  blankets,  wrapping  them  closely 
around  himself.  Hardly  had  he  done  so,  when  he 
broke  into  muffled  shouts.  "  Help — help — help  ! 
He's  around  me!  he's  around  me !  he's  around  me!" 
and  throwing  the  blankets  from  himself,  he  sprang 
to  the  middle  of  the  room,  making  all  the  motions  of 
one  uncoiling  a  huge  serpent  from  his  neck  and  body, 
at  the  same  time  grinding  with  his  heels  and  tramp- 
ling the  smaller  ones  upon  the  floor. 

The  movements  of  his  agony  and  despair  could 
only  be  compared  to  those  of  a  sane  man  if  thrown 
into  a  pit  containing  millions  of  rattlesnakes,  and  a 
monster  anaconda  coiling  about  him. 

The  Doctor  said,  "  These  were  his  demonstrations 
when  he  came  to  us,  two  months  ago,  and  their  con- 
tinuance has  been  constant  to  this  time,  except  at 
intervals  of  exhaustion  caused  by  his  struggles  with 
the  snakes.  His  previous  history  and  that  of  his 
descent  are  well  known  to  us.  He  inherited  a  mania 
for  whisky,  and  strengthened  it  by  excesses.  The 
serpent  forms  came  to  his  vision  at  the  age  of  thirty- 
two  with  a  persistency  and  vividness  that  gives  to 


342  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

his  insanity  all  the  seeming  of  a  chronic  alcoholic 
delirium." 

A  shriek  of  terror  came  from  behind  the  door, 
which  the  Doctor  had  closed*  when  we  stepped  from 
the  room,  and  as  he  opened  it  again  we  saw  the  man 
bending  forwards  as  if  with  his  hands  around  the 
neck  of  the  anaconda,  and  striving  to  withdraw  his 
head  from  the  serpent's  mouth. 

As  the  Doctor  opened  the  door  of  an  adjoining 
room,  we  saw  a  man  who  sat  upon  his  bed  and  kept 
his  hands  in  constant  motion,  pushing  away  objects 
which  seemed  to  be  gathering  around  him,  sometimes 
in  front,  then  by  his  side  or  over  his  head ;  at  the 
same  time  talking  in  an  undertone  varied  by  an  occa- 
sional pious  exclamation. 

Doctor  Peters  said  to  me,  "  This  is  the  most  awful 
case  of  mental  suffering  that  ever  came  within  my 
observation.  Were  he  not  engaged  with  his  delu- 
sions and  hallucinations,  he  would  take  a  rational 
notice  of  everything  transpiring  around  him,  and  if 
he  can  be  induced  to  forget  them  for  an  instant,  he 
will  give  intelligent  answers  to  any  question  that  you 
may  propound.  His  agony  is  constant,  as  you  may 
see  by  the  expressions  of  his  face  and  eyes,  and  he 
has  the  double  affliction  of  Acute  Melancholia, 
and  the  most  horrible  hallucinations  of  Mania.  I 
have  obtained  his  history  from  himself,  a  few  words 
at  a  time,  by  patient  questioning.  He  was  born  in 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  343 

Denmark  and  is  now  forty-two  years  of  age.  His 
occupation  was  that  of  a  sailor  upon  the  North  Sea 
during  his  early  life;  later,  upon  American  waters, 
he  was  first  mate  of  a  ship  sailing  between  Balti- 
more and  San  Francisco.  Before  he  engaged  upon 
the  American  vessel,  he  tells  me,  he  drank  beer  freely 
and  alcohol  occasionally,  as  did  his  father  and  his 
other  relatives,  who  were  all  seamen.  On  the 
American  vessel  he  drank  whisky  only;  this,  to  the 
extent  of  spending  his  surplus  earnings  for  it  and  its 
consequent  debaucheries.  He  is  of  a  kindly  nature, 
and  although  of  a  powerful  physique,  as  you  see,  and 
constantly  beset  by  his  troubles,  has  never  offered 
harm  to  any  one.  In  addition  to  the  hallucinations  of 
sight,  which  include  fiends  and  poisons,  he  has  a 
mental  delusion  that  when  he  becomes  a  perfect 
Christian  he  may  convert  the  fiends  who  come  about 
him,  and  they  will  then  cease  their  efforts  to  drug  or 
poison  him.  He  has  been  with  us  three  years  and 
four  months,  and  has  not  been  free  from  his  terrible 
mental  suffering  an  hour  of  that  time,  except  in  sleep. 
When  he  awakes  the  fiends  are  with  him  ;  they  poison 
him  and  go  away  ;  in  a  moment  he  sees  them  in  the 
distance,  coming  to  him  again ;  they  close  around 
him,  and  in  intermitting  trooping,  go  and  come  until 
he  again  falls  asleep.  Sit  beside  him,  upon  the  other 
side  of  his  bed,  and  you  will  hear  a  portion  of  his 
story." 


344  THE  JUNIOB  PARTNERS. 

Fr6m  his  mutterings  and  imploring  exclamations, 
I  gathered  the  sense  of  the  following : 

4IO,  God!  within  my  sight  and  thronging  space 
beyond,  there  come  towards  me  hideous  fiends,  with 
demon  shouts,  their  hair  outstreaming  on  the  air 
behind  in  waves  of  molten  steel.  They  come  !  My 
God  !  Upon  their  breasts,  encircled  by  reptile  folds, 
the  skulls  of  men  ;  dry  crumbling  horrors,  dug  from 
desert  sands  and  dropping  o'er  the  ground  white 
flakes  as  slaking  lime ;  a  breast-plate  dread,  fore- 
shadowing death.  God  help !  In  either  hand  an 
open  jar  that  wastes  on  air  the  fume  of  drugs  and 
odors  of  disease.  Upon  their  lips  a  flecking  foam  ; 
among  their  teeth  the  grinding  spasms  of  hydropho- 
bia. The  eyes  !  God  forgive !  I  die !  Behind  the 
glowing  orbs  that  stand  upon  the  cheek,  their  sockets 
fill  with  forms  of  hate  and  murderous  mien  that 
glower  upon  me  from  jthe  burning  rims.  They  close 
around  me !  Push  them  away !  O,  God  !  Upon 
my  head  one  tears  with  gnashing  teeth.  My  blood 
with  poison  fills,  my  brain  with  sicknesses,  and  cHloro- 
form.  O,  God  !  make  me  a  Christian.  I  must  not 
die !  They  are  gone !  I  rest.  My  prayer  was 
heard.  O,  God  !  It  makes  no  difference  !  Within  my 
sight  and  thronging  space  beyond,  there  come  to- 
wards me  hideous  fiends,  with  demon  shouts " 

I  went  away  from  him. 

The  Doctor  said,  "The  intermissions  between  the 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  345 

departure  and  the  return  of  the  fiends  are  never  of 
more  than  five  minutes  duration.  He  sometimes 
varies  his  speech  with  longer  prayers." 

Doctor  Peters  then  suggested  that  we  visit  the 
female  department  of  the  Asylum.  As  we  walked 
towards  it  he  gave  me  the  history  of  a  case  of  delirium- 
tremens  which  he  had  witnessed,  the  subject  being  a 
woman  of  education  and  former  good  social  position. 
The  pen  that  writes  these  lines  can  find  no  words 
within  its  fountain  to  describe  the  horrors  of  this 
scene ;  but  a  history  of  her  hallucinations  afterwards, 
during  her  insanity,  may  be  given  as  she  related  it, 
with  a  reservation  of  the  more  repulsive  portions : 
"  He  brings  me  a  hundred  every  morning  when  I 
am  dressed  for  the  day.  He  turns  them  loose  upon 
me  and  they  crawl  into  my  bosom,  up  my  sleeves,  in 
my  pockets  and  among  my  skirts.  It  takes  me  until 
nl'Ait  to  gret  them  off.  When  I  catch  one  I  throw  it 

o  o 

from  me,  then  it  goes  away.  Here  is  one,  now, 
crawling  from  my  sleeve ;  it  is  a  little  one ;  and  here 
a  large  one  from  my  bosom." 

She  made  the  movements  of  taking  a  tiny  snake 
between  her  thumb  and  forefinger  and  throwing  it 
with  force  against  the  wall  of  her  room ;  then  with 
the  other  hand  she  grasped  the  larger  one  about  the 
neck  and  slowly  drew  its  folds  from  her  bodice  to 
the  length  of  her  arm ;  then  turning,  threw  it  through 
the  open  door  into  the  corridor.  She  soon  became 


346  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

quiet  and  engaged  with  us  in  a  cheerful  conversation. 
In  a  few  moments  a  tiny  snake  crawled  over  her 
wrist ;  the  thumb  and  finger  threw  it  against  the  wall ; 
then  the  other  hand  grasped  a  monster  that  came 
from  the  folds  of  her  dress.  Heart-sick,  I  turned 
away  and  left  the  room.  He  who  brought  them  to 
her  in  the  morning  cannot  be  described. 

In  an  adjoining  ward  we  found  a  lady  seated  upon 
an  easy  chair,  within  an  alcove  of  the  corridor,  sew- 
ing and  humming  the  air  of  an  evangelist's  song. 
She  greeted  the  Doctor  pleasantly  as  we  came  to 
her  side,  and  in  response  to  his  request  related  the 
action  of  sights  and  sounds  that  came  during  her 
occasional  spells:  "You  may  think  that  it's  a  notion, 
but  it  isn't.  He  came  to  me  first  when  I  was  sitting 
in  the  parlor.  I  saw  him  come  up  the  steps  in  front 
of  the  house ;  I  heard  him  open  the  door  and  walk 
through  the  hallway  into  the  parlor.  He  passed  so 
near  to  me  that  he  touched  my  dress,  then  sat  on 
the  lounge  in  the  corner  of  the  room.  He  was  the 
handsomest  man  I  ever  saw.  He  sat  a  moment  and 
then  he  said,  '  I  want  you  to  go  away  from  here.' 
You  may  think  that  it's  a  notion,  but  it  isn't.  I 
heard  him  say  it,  and  then  his  face  began  to  glow, 
and  it  got  like  fire.  His  black  clothes  turned  to  red 
and  his  hair  to  flame,  and  then  he  said,  '  Go  to  the 
inebriates'  home.'  I  did  drink  the  whisky.  I  could 
not  keep  from  it.  If  I  thought  of  it,  I  would  go 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  347 

miles  through  rain  or  snow  to  get  it.  I  loved  it 
when  I  was  a  child.  My  mother  said  that  my  grand- 
father marked  me  with  a  whisky  taste.  You  may 
think  that  it's  a  notion,  but  it  isn't.  I  could  drink 
pure  whisky  when  I  was  a  baby,  and  I  would  let  you 
kill  me  to-night  if  you  would  give  me  all  that  I  could 
drink  to-day.  I  did  as  he  told  me  and  went  to  the 
inebriates'  home.  In  a  week  the  handsome  man 
came  and  sat  in  my  room,  his  elbows  upon  the  table, 
and  he  looked  at  me.  Soon  his  face  began  to  glow, 
his  clothes  turned  red,  and  the  flame  shot  up  from 
his  head.  He  said  to  me,  '  I  want  you  to  go  away 
from  here.'  You  may  think  that  it's  a  notion,  but  it 
isn't.  I  heard  him  say  it,  and  the  next  morning  he 
sent  some  men  to  bring  me  here,  among  the  crazy 

people,  and  Miss and  Mrs. keep  me  here, 

because  he  has  told  them  that  if  I  get  away  he  will 
come  to  them.  I  had  been  here  about  a  week  when 
the  handsome  man  came  down  the  corridor  of  this 
ward  and  sat  beside  me,  upon  my  bed,  in  the  night. 
His  face  began  to  glow,  his  clothes  turned  red,  and 
the  flames  from  his  hair  made  the  room  lighter  than 
day  ;  and  he  said  to  me,  '  I  want  you  to  stay  here.' 
You  may  think  that  it's  a  notion,  but  it  isn't.  I  heard 
him  say  it,  and  he  sat  there  nearly  all  night  looking 
at  me.  I  know  that  I  must  stay  here  always,  though 
there  is  nothing  the  matter  with  me,  because  he  says 
I  must.  He  watches  me  and  often  comes  to  see 


348  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

that  I  am  here.  He  never  speaks  to  me  now,  but 
comes  to  the  end  of  the  corridor,  yonder,  where  you 
see  the  lattices,  and  looks  down  the  ward  to  see  if  I 
am  here.  When  he  sees  me  his  face  glows  and  gets 
like  fire,  his  black  clothes  turn  to  red,  and  his  hair 
stands  up  in  a  flame.  You  may  think  that  it's  a 
notion,  but  it  isn't.  I  see  him." 

As  we  went  away  from  her,  the  Doctor  said,  "  I 
need  not  give  her  history.  Her  own  story  compre- 
hends it." 

Referring  to  his  memorandum,  he  said,  "  Let  us 
visit  others."  I  assured  him  that  this  was  enough ; 
that  not  for  the  wealth  of  the  city  would  I  carry  in 
my  memory  other  stories  of  woe  traced  from  a 
poison  put  into  the  mouths  of  men  which  forced  upon 
women  the  inheritance  of  sorrow  and  loathsome 
delusions.  As  we  walked  towards  his  office  he  said, 
"  These  are  but  examples  of  a  uniform  whole. 
Wherever  you  find  delusions  or  hallucinations  of 
devils,  dragons,  creeping  things,  horrible  animals, 
fearful  surroundings,  sorrowful  situations,  and  others 
of  the  nature  of  these,  you  will  find  a  history  of 
drink,  either  in  the  subject  or  his  ancestors  within 
the  sixth  generation,  and  from  one-half  to  three- 
fourths  of  the  inmates  of  Asylums  have  this  class  of 
affliction." 

"  '  I  never  drank,'  says  a  monomaniac  who  has  the 


THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS.  349 

periodical  hallucinations  of  creeping  things.  •  Neither 
did  my  father.' 

"  Possibly  not ;  but  what  of  his  father  and  his 
grandfather  ?  You  will  discover  the  alcoholic  source 
of  his  affliction  somewhere,  just  so  surely  as  that  you 
may  find  the  negro  who  tinged  the  finger-tips  of  the 
octoroon's  child  with  the  dusky  blood  of  Africa. 

"  The  delusions  caused  by  the  action  of  the  lighter 
alcoholic  preparations  incline  towards  sorrows,  perse- 
cutions, vivid  and  gross  imaginings,  and  suicide. 

"  Those  who  are  afflicted  with  the  insanities  devel- 
oped from  other  causes  have  other  and  distinctive 
delusions,  among  which  are  those  of  extraordinary 
accomplishments;  high  social  position;  the  conceit  of 
profound  knowledge,  of  philosophy,  business  or  reli- 
gion; night  visits  by  former  companions,  angels, 
children  or  fairies,  and  others  of  similar  character." 

We  had  arrived  at  the  Doctor's  office,  where  he 
bade  me  good-bye,  intimating  that  his  duties  were 
the  cause  of  this  abrupt  termination  of  our  conver- 
sation. As  I  passed  by  the  Supervisor's  office,  I  saw 
a  man  seated  near  him  upon  a  bench,  who  was 
almost  covered  with  straps  and  ropes,  and  who  had 
just  been  brought  in  from  a  carriage  by  two  deputy 
sheriffs.  The  man  was  shouting  vengeful  words  to 
forms  that  seemed  to  be  gathering  around  him. 
The  Asylum  attendants  took  him  up  and  carried 
him  to  the  receiving  ward.  I  asked  the  Supervisor 


350  THE  JUNIOR  PARTNERS. 

the  place  of  his  commitment,  and  he  said,  "  The 
City."  I  then  asked  him  the  cause.  He  looked  at 
me  as  to  one  propounding  needless  questions,  and 
curtly  answered,  "  Whisky." 

I  went  away.  As  I  passed  out  of  the  grounds  I 
stood  by  the  gate  and  looked  back  towards  the 
Asylum.  Along  the  driveway  I  traced  the  windings 
of  a  Serpent,  that  had  come  from  the  City,  crawled 
by  the  long  row  of  elms,  and  entered  at  the  arched 
opening  beneath  the  statue  of  Mercy. 


HE  story  of  the  Saloon  breaks  upon  the 
troubled  air. 

The  father  tells  it,  his  face  quivering 
with  grief.  The  wife  tells  it,  with  choking 
sobs  and  streaming  tears.  The  son  tells  it 
in  the  county  jail ;  repeats  it  behind  the  prison  walls ; 
shouts  it  along  the  corridors  of  the   Asylum.  The 
daughter  tells  it  in  the  tenement  of  want ;  whispers 
it  in  the  wards  of  the  alms-house ;  sings  it  in  the 
den  of  shame,  to  the  music  of  the  wine-glass. 
The  mother  tells  it  upon  her  bended  knees. 
They  are  telling  it  to  you. 


ALCOHOLIC  INHERITANCE. 


Compilations  from  the  Writings  of  Physiologists,   Physicians,  and 
Experts  in  the  Treatment  of  Insanity. 


"Hear  me  to  the  end,  and  then  decide  against 
me  if  you  will." 


.  N  all  the  study  leading  to  strengthening  of 
argument  and  confirmation  of  conclusions, 
as  found  in  those  chapters  of  "The  Junior 
Partners  "  relating  to  the  direct  and  her- 
editary action  of  alcohol  upon  the  mental 
powers,  no  words  of  greater  force  can 
be  found  than  are  embodied  in  the  works 

of  Huxley  and  Youmans,  Bucknill  and  Tuke,  Dr. 

Maudsley,  Dr.  Ray,  Dr.  S.  G.  Howe,  and  Esquirol , 

all  recognized  authorities  of  the  very  highest  rank: 

from  which  is  selected  the  following. 

"  The  mind  has  its  states  of  health  and  vigor,  of 
debility  and  disease,  like  the  body,  and  these  states 
are  influenced  by  definite  causes  in  the  former  case 
as  well  as  in  the  latter.  Mental  philosophy,  as  com- 
monly understood,  explains  to  us  the  operation  of 

oo 


23 


354  ALCOHOLIC   INHERITANCE. 

thought  and  feeling  as  we  discover  them  in  the 
working  of  our  own  minds,  and  takes  little  account 
of  the  part  played  by  the  corporeal  system  in  the 
control  of  these  processes.  But,  if  we  would  under- 
stand the  conditions  of  mental  health,  and  the  nature 
and  causes  of  mental  impairment,  the  body  must  at 
once  be  taken  into  account.  The  study  of  mental 
phenomena  in  their  corporeal  relations  thus  becomes 
the  business  of  the  physiologist  He  sees  that  the 
mind  is  not  only  dependent  upon  the  body,  but  that 
the  two  have  close  and  powerful  reactions  ;  states  of 
body  determining  conditions  of  mind,  and  states  of 
mind  influencing  conditions  of  body.  Nature  pre- 
sents the  problem,  not  of  mind  separate,  but  of  mind 
and  body  bound  up  in  a  living  unity,  and  the  physi- 
ologist must  take  the  question  as  he  finds  it. 

"  It  is  now  universally  admitted  that  the  brain  is 
the  grand  nervous  centre  of  thought  and  feeling,  the 
material  instrument  of  the  mind,  and  that  all  mental 
actions  are  accompanied  and  conditioned  by  physio- 
logical actions.  From  the  high  complexity  of  com- 
position of  nervous  matter,  it  is  extremely  unstable 
and  prone  to  change.  The  brain  is  therefore  not 
only — like  all  other  parts  of  the  body — subject  to  the 
double  metamorphosis  of  waste  and  repair,  but  the 
transformations  take  place  in  this  organ  with  more 
rapidity  than  in  any  other  part  of  the  system.  Upon 
these  changes  the  mental  operations  are  vitally  depend- 


ALCOHOLIC    INHERITANCE.  355 

ent,  and  if  in  any  way  interfered  with,  there  is  a  dis- 
turbance of  the  intellectual  processes.  If  the  cerebral 
circulation  is  lowered,  mental  activity  is  diminished  ; 
if  accelerated,  the  mind's  action  is  exalted.  Various 
substances  introduced  into  the  blood-stream  alter  the 
course  of  thought,  some  affecting  it  oneway  and  some 
another  ;  but  each,  through  its  specific  action,  produc- 
ing characteristic  physiological  effects.  Inflammation 
of  the  brain  induces  delirium,  while  different  diseases 
of  the  organ,  or  perversions  of  the  blood  circulating 
through  it,  give  rise  to  various  forms  of  insanity. 

"  It  is  important  to  note,  not  only  that  mind  and 
body  are  both  governed  by  laws,  but  that  they  are  to 
a  great  extent  governed  by  the  same  laws.  What- 
ever improves  the  physical  qualities  of  the  brain, 
improves  also  the  mind ;  whatever  deteriorates  the 
brain  impairs  the  mind.  They  have  a  common 
development,  are  equally  increased  in  vigor,  capacity, 
and  power,  by  systematic  and  judicious  exercise,  and 
are  alike  injured  by  deficient  or  excessive  effort. 
The  brain  is  exhausted  by  thinking,  as  much  as  the 
muscles  by  acting,  and,  like  the  exhausted  muscles, 
it  requires  time  for  the  restoration  of  vigor  through 
nutritive  repair.  As  thus  the  mind  is  dependent 
upon  the  conditions  of  the  brain,  while  the  brain  is 
controlled  by  the  bodily  system,  we  see  how  impos- 
sible it  is  to  deal  with  the  mental  powers  in  a  practi- 


356  ALCOHOLIC   INHERITANCE. 

cal  way,  without  taking  the  material  organization 
into  account. 

"Those  who  habitually  think  of  the  mind  as  a 
separate  entity,  merely  existing  in  some  vague  way 
with  the  body,  will  naturally  look  upon  mental  derange- 
ments as  disorders  of  this  entity,  diseases  of  an  ab- 
straction. But  this  view  has  proved  misleading  and 
injurious  in  the  extreme.  So  long  as  maladies  of  the 
mind  were  regarded  as  demoniac  possessions,  or  as 
'  fermentations  taking  place  in  a  spiritual  essence,'  all 
rational  causality  was  excluded,  and  the  arts  of  relief 
and  prevention  were  impossible.  When,  however, 
it  became  established  that  mind  depends  upon  definite 
physiological  conditions,  there  was  no  escape  from  the 
conclusion  that  physiological  perversions  are  causes  of 
mental  derangement.  Fair  weather  and  foul  equally 
depend  upon  the  laws  of  meteorology  ;  health  and 
disease  equally  depend  upon  the  laws  of  animal  life. 
As  mental  health  is  dependent  upon  due  nutrition, 
stimulation,  and  repose  of  the  brain,  mental  disease 
is  to  be  regarded  as  resulting  from  the  interruption 
or  disturbance  of  those  conditions. 

"In  showing  that  mental  weakness  is  a  concom- 
itant of  bodily  debility,  and  mental  aberration  a  con- 
sequence of  bodily  disorder,  the  physiologist  lays 
the  sure  foundation  of  a  practical  Mental  Hygiene, 
the  province  of  which  is  to  consider  the  various 


ALCOHOLIC   LNHEIUTANCE.  357 

causes  which  disturb  the  harmony  and  impair  the 
vigor  of  mental  actions. 

"Taking  note  of  the  multiplied  forms  and  degrees 
of  disturbance  and  degeneracy  to  which  the  mental 
nature  of  man  is  subject,  it  traces  them  to  their 
causes,  and  discloses  the  extent  to  which  they  are 
avoidable.  As  bodily  and  mental  health  depend  to 
a  great  degree  upon  the  same  conditions,  all  that  can 
be  said  concerning  the  sanitary  influences  which  affect 
the  corporeal  system  has  likewise  its  bearing  upon 
health  of  mind.  But  the  mental  aspects  of  the  case 
are  so  generally  overlooked  as  to  demand  a  special 
consideration. 

"As  the  organ  of  the  mind  is  the  most  delicate 

o 

and  complex  of  all  parts  of  the  living  system,  while 
its  manifestations  are  so  varied  as  to  comprehend 
the  whole  circle  of  human  thought  and  feeling,  it  is 
natural  to  suppose  that  the  causes  of  mental  impair- 
ment will  be  complex  and  varied  in  an  equal  degree. 
These  causes  are  usually  regarded  as  two-fold — moral 
and  physical.  Another  division  is  into  predisposing 
and  exciting  causes. 

"The  predisposing  causes  are  such  as  act  remotely, 
or  by  slow  degrees,  to  undermine  the  mental  health ; 
while  exciting  causes  are  those  untoward  events  which 
immediately  precede  the  breaking  down  of  the  mind. 
It  is  a  common  error  to  assign  some  shock  or  calamity 
as  the  efficient  and  adequate  cause  of  an  insane  out- 


358  ALCOHOLIC   INHERITANCE. 

break,  whereas  the  real  causality  lies  further  back, 
and  the  occurrence  in  question  is  only  the  occasion 
of  its  development.  The  germ  of  insanity  may  have 
been  deeply  latent  in  the  constitution,  and  a  long 
train  of  influences  may  have  been  at  work  to  impair 
the  cerebral  vigor,  while  some  event,  perhaps  of  slight 
importance  in  itself,  serves  to  bring  on  the  final 
catastrophe.  When  it  is  said  that  a  person  has 
become  insane  through  disappointment  or  religious 
excitement,  we  are  not  to  suppose  that  this  is  the 
whole  statement;  the  question  arises:  How  is  it  that 
others  in  quite  similar  circumstances  are  unaffected  ? 
The  human  mind  is  not  so  constituted  as  to  snap  by 
a  sudden  strain,  like  cast  iron ;  insanity  produced  by 
the  action  of  a  single  cause  is  of  the  rarest  occur- 
rence. Only  by  a  'conspiracy  of  conditions,'  internal 
and  external,  proximate  and  remote,  is  the  fabric  of 
the  reason  usually  overthrown. 

"We  will  first  notice  the  immediate  physiological 
actions  by  which  health  of  mind  is  destroyed,  and 
this  will  prepare  us  to  understand  how  the  remoter 
causes  of  mental  impairment  take  effect. 

"If  the  mind  is  dependent  upon  the  brain,  it 
follows  that  each  act  of  the  mind  has  its  physical 
conditions,  and  the  conditioning  must  of  course  be 
in  accordance  with  the  structure  of  the  organ.  The 
mental  mechanism  consists  essentially  of  millions  of 
cells  and  fibers,  the  former  of  which  are  the  gene- 


ALCOHOLIC    INHERITANCE.  359 

rators  and  the  latter  the  transmitters  of  force.  In 
thinking  and  feeling,  these  are  called  into  exercise, 
and,  according  to  its  intensity,  exhausted;  while  their 
function  power  is  restored  by  nutritive  assimilation. 
The  structure  of  the  parts  being  perfect,  mental 
coherency,  energy,  and  health,  depend  upon  their 
perfect  nutrition.  It  is  here,  in  the  disturbance  of 
the  nutritive  operations  of  the  brain,  that  most  of 
the  causes  of  mental  impairment  take  effect. 

"  We  attribute  a  large  share  of  mental  diseases  to 
pathological  conditions  of  the  brain,  whose  most 
prominent  characteristic  is  defective  nutrition  of  the 
organ.  In  a  large  proportion  of  cases  this  deficient 
nutrition  is  manifested  after  death  in  an  actual 
shrinking  of  the  brain,  a  shrinking  which  is  co-exten- 
sive with  the  duration  and  the  degree  of  the  loss  of 
mental  power.  This  loss  of  power  marks  all  instan- 
ces of  cerebral  decay,  and  is  consequently  a  condition 
of  most  chronic  cases  of  excitement. 

"  The  effect  of  impaired  nutrition  is,  to  produce 
derangements  of  structure,  and  these  take  many 
forms  in  the  various  cases  of  cerebral  disease.  The 
microscope  has  done  much  to  elucidate  the  patholog- 
ical changes  of  the  brain,  but  such  is  the  marvelous 
delicacy  of  the  organ  that  microscopists  are  still 
intensely  occupied  in  making  out  the  subtle  details  of 
its  normal  structure.  Many  physical  indications  of 
nervous  disorder  no  doubt  remain  to  be  discovered; 


360  ALCOHOLIC    INHERITANCE. 

but,  from  the  peculiar  complexity  and  difficulty  of 
the  case,  a  large  amount  of  infirmity  of  nerve- 
element  will  probably  never  be  detected  by  physical 
means.  Nutrition  results  from  a  relation  between 
the  nerve-tissue  and  the  blood  ;  the  causes  of  its  per- 
versions are  therefore  to  be  sought  in  various  dis- 
turbances of  the  circulation,  as  well  as  in  the  nerve- 
element  itself. 

"  Nutrition  is  dependent  upon  the  supply  of  blood  ; 
in  the  brain,  perhaps,  more  closely  than  in  any  other 
organ.  The  gray  substance  of  the  cerebral  convo- 
lutions, which  are  devoted  to  the  higher  mental 
operations,  is  richly  supplied  with  minute  blood- 
vessels which  impart  to  the  cells  the  material  of  their 
renewal,  and  remove  the  waste  products  of  their 
activity.  The  quantity  and  quality  of  the  blood  they 
transmit  must,  therefore,  exert  a  determining  influ- 
ence over  the  functions  and  health  of  the  organ. 
As  mental  action  depends  upon  the  interchange 
taking  place  between  the  blood-capillaries  and  the 
nerve-cells,  it  follows  that  increased  excitation  and 
interaction  of  ideas  is  accompanied  by  increasing 
interchange  and  demand  for  more  blood,  and  plethora 
of  the  capillaries  gives  rise  to  increased  mental  ex- 
citement. If  this  heightened  activity  is  prolonged 
beyond  due  limits,  and  especially  if  the  brain  is 
weakly  organized,  a  state  of  morbid  congestion  is 
induced,  and  over-stimulation  is  followed  by  stagna- 


ALCOHOLIC    INHERITANCE.  361 

tion  of  ideas,  emotional  depression,  and  irritability. 
The  stagnation  of  the  cerebral  currents  and  imper- 
fect removal  of  noxious  products,  with  the  irregular- 
ities of  excitement  and  depression  which  are  the 
result  of  frequent  brain  congestion,  produce  defective 
nutrition,  which  tends  to  impair  the  soundness  of  the 
organ. 

rt  Anaemia,  or  bloodlessness,  the  opposite  state  of 
congestion,  produces  similar  mental  effects.  Insuffi- 
ciency of  healthy  blood,  whether  caused  by  its  actual 
loss  from  the  system,  or  by  poverty  and  dilution  of 
the  fluid  through  any  of  the  numerous  anti-hygienic 
influences,  by  impairing  the  nutritive  powers,  enfee- 
bles the  organ  and  powerfully  predisposes  to  insanity. 

"The  blood  itself  may  not  reach  its  proper  growth 
and  development  by  reason  of  some  defect  in  the 
function  of  the  glands  that  minister  to  its  formation ; 
or,  carrying  the  cause  still  farther  back,  by  reason  of 
wretched  conditions  of  life;  there  is,  in  consequence, 
a  defective  nutrition  generally,  as  in  scrofulous  per- 
sons ;  and  the  nervous  system  shares  in  the  general 
delicacy  of  constitution;  so  that,  though  quickly 
impressible  and  lively  in  reaction,  it  is  irritable, 
feeble,  and  easily  exhausted.  Poverty  of  blood,  it 
can  admit  of  no  doubt,  plays  the  same  weighty  part 
in  the  production  of  insanity  as  it  does  in  the  pro- 
duction of  other  nervous  diseases,  such  as  hysteria, 
chorea,  neuralgia,  and  even  epilepsy. 


362  ALCOHOLIC    INHERITANCE. 

"Although  the  blood  is  a  compound  of  wondrous 
complexity,  and  undergoing  incessant  changes  by 
active  influx  and  drainage,  yet  in  health  its  constitu- 
tion is  preserved  in  such  exquisite  balance  that  the 
cerebral  engine  of  thought  and  emotion  is  kept  in 
harmonious  action.  This  harmony  is  disturbed,  not 
only  by  excess  or  deficiency  of  the  vital  stream,  but 
in  a  marked  degree  by  the  presence  in  it  of  various 
impurities.  Every  grade  of  mental  disease,  from  the 
mildest  depression  to  the  fury  of  delirium,  may  be 
produced  by  the  accumulation  in  the  blood  of  the 
waste  matter  of  the  tissues.  The  presence  in  the 
blood,  for  example,  of  unexcreted  bile,  so  affects  the 
nervous  substance  as  to  engender  the  gloomiest  feel- 
ings, from  which  the  individual  cannot  free  himself, 
although  he  knows  that  the  cause  of  his  depression 
is  not  in  the  actual  condition  of  external  circum- 
stances, but  is  internal  and  of  a  transient  nature. 
But  it  only  requires  the  prolonged  action  of  this 
cause  to  carry  this  morbid  state  of  nerve-element  to 
that  further  sta^e  of  degeneration  which  shall  result 

o  o 

in  the  genuine  melancholia  of  insanity. 

"Various  substances  introduced  into  the  blood,  as 
opium, hasheesh, bslhidi'i'ia, take  effectupon  the  brain, 
each  perverting  the  mental  functions  in  a  manner 
peculiar  to  itself.  Ingested*  alcohol  produces  an 
artificial  insanity,  in  which  the  various  types  of  men- 

*Put  into  the  stomach. 


ALCOHOLIC    INHERITANCE.  353 

tal  diseases  are  distinctly  manifested.  Its  first  effect 
is  a  gentle  stimulation  and  a  mental  excitement,  such 
as  often  precedes  an  outbreak  of  mania.  This  is 
followed  by  a  rapid  flow  of  ideas,  an  incoherence  of 
thought  and  speech,  and  an  excitement  of  the  pas- 
sions, which  disclose  automatic  disturbance  and 
diminished  voluntary  control,  as  in  delirium  from 
other  causes.  A  condition  of  depression  and  maudlin 
melancholy  succeeds,  as  convulsion  passes  into  paral- 
ysis— the  last  scene  of  all  being  one  of  dementia 
and  stupor. 

"  But  independent  of  the  quantity  or  quality  of  the 
blood  supplied  to  the  brain,  that  organ  is  liable  to 
certain  conditions  of  exhaustion  and  nutritive  degen- 
eracy to  an  extent  far  greater  than  the  other  organs 
of  the  body.  These  other  organs  have  various 
means  of  escape  from  overtasking ;  if  they  cannot 
increase  their  power  so  as  to  endure  the  burden 
imposed,  they  can  refuse  to  act,  or  throw  the  excess 
of  labor  upon  some  other  part.  Overworking  the 
stomach  destroys  appetite,  and  the  task  is  no  longer 
imposed.  If  the  muscular  system  is  worked  beyond 
its  power,  it  does  not  break  down,  but  the  excessive 
strain  is  thrown  upon  the  nervous  system,  which 
receives  the  injury.  The  overtasked  lungs  throw 
part  of  their  burden  upon  the  skin  and  liver,  and  the 
overworked  liver  is  relieved  by  the  kidneys.  But 
the  economy  of  the  organism  affords  the  brain  no 


364  ALCOHOLIC   INHERITANCE. 

vicarious  relief;  if  overburdened  it  must  suffer  alone. 
Excessive  exertion  of  the  brain  produces  an  excite- 
ment which,  instead  of  ceasing,  is  augmented  by  the 
very  debility  which  it  causes.  The  exhaustion  con- 
tinues the  overwork,  which  again  increases  the 
exhaustion.  The  degeneration  of  nerve-element  thus 
proceeds  at  a  rapid  rate  of  increase,  which  results  in 
permanent  perversion  and  degradation  of  the  mental 
functions. 

"  To  the  physiologist  the  question  of  healthy  men- 
tal activity  resolves  itself  into  that  of  the  soundness 
of  nerve-element,  and  of  vigorousness  and  complete- 
ness of  nutrition ;  while  mental  impairment  is  seen  to 
result  from  instability  of  the  nerve-structures,  conse- 
quent upon  defective  nutrition.  In  this  view,  there- 
fore, all  causes,  physical  or  moral,  intermediate  or 
remote,  which  influence  the  nutritive  operations  of 
the  system,  have  a  bearing,  more  or  less  direct,  upon 
mental  conditions  and  character. 

"  We  will  now  pass  to  some  of  the  remoter  influ- 
ences by  which  mental  health  is  impaired. 

"The  living  constitution  is  powerfully  influenced 
by  many  slow-working  agencies.  The  causes  of 
mental  deterioration  produce  effects  in  time,  and 
through  successive  generations.  Hereditary  trans- 
mission thus  becomes  a  leading  factor  in  the  problem 
of  mental  impairment,  and  accounts  for  many  of  the 
agencies  by  which  it  is  produced. 


ALCOHOLIC    INHERITANCE.  365 

"  Bodily  defects  and  diseases  are  transmissible. 
Consumption,  gout,  asthma,  cancer,  scrofula,  apo- 
plexy, unsoundness  of  teeth,  and  even  long  sight, 
short  sight,  and  squinting,  are  liable  to  be  inherited. 
Of  course  these  diseases  are  not  transmitted  in  all 
cases  of  their  occurrence,  nor  do  they  always  pass 
directly  from  parent  to  offspring  ;  one  or  two  genera- 
tions may  be  skipped,  and  the  malady  appear  in  the 
distant  descendants.  Hence,  strictly  speaking,  it  is 
not  the  disease  that  is  hereditary,  but  a  predisposition 
to  it,  which  may  be  either  neutralized  and  disap- 
pear, remain  dormant,  or  break  out,  according  to 
circumstances. 

"There  is,  perhaps,  no  form  of  constitutional 
defect  more  markedly  hereditary  than  morbidities  of 
the  nervous  system.  Esquirol  observes  that,  of  all 
diseases,  insanity  is  the  most  hereditary.  The  pro- 
portion of  cases  in  which  this  malady  is  ascribed  to 
predisposition  has  been  variously  estimated  at  from 
one-fourth  to  nine-tenths  ;  probably  at  least  one-half 
of  all  these  cases  of  diseases  have  this  origin. 

"  The  common  notion,  that  insanity  is  inherited 
only  when  madness  in  a  parent  re-appears  as  mad- 
ness in  the  child,  is  a  most  serious  error.  That 
which  is  transmitted  is  nervous  infirmity,  which  may 
assume  an  endless  variety  of  forms.  Parental  nerv- 
ous defects  may  issue  in  one  member  of  the  family, 
in  unbalanced  character,  which  is  manifested  in  vio- 


366  ALCOHOLIC    INHERITANCE. 

lent  outbreaks  of  passion  and  unaccountable  impulses, 
while  another  may  go  smoothly  through  life  without 
exhibiting  a  trace  of  it,  and  a  third  will  break  down 
into  mania  upon  some  trying  occasion.  As  features 
are  modified  by  descent,  so  are  diseases,  and  none 
assume  so  wide  a  diversity  of  aspect  as  those  of  the 
nervous  system. 

"If,  instead  of  limiting  attention  to  the  individual, 
we  scan  the  organic  evolution  and  decay  of  a  family — 
processes  which,  as  in  the  organism,  are  sometimes 
going  on  simultaneously — then  it  is  made  sufficiently 
evident  how  close  are  the  fundamental  relations  of 
nervous  diseases  ;  how  artificial  the  divisions  between 
them  may  sometimes  appear.  Epilepsy  in  the  parent 
may  become  insanity  in  the  offspring,  or  insanity  in 
the  parent,  epilepsy  in  the  child  ;  and  chorea  or  con- 
vulsions in  the  child  may  be  the  consequence  of  great 
nervous  irritability — natural  or  accidental — in  the 
mother.  In  families  in  which  there  is  a  strong  dis- 
position to  insanity,  it  is  not  uncommon  to  find  one 
member  afflicted  with  one  form  of  nervous  disease, 
and  another,  with  another  ;  one  suffers,  perhaps,  from 
epilepsy,  another  with  neuralgia,  a  third  may  commit 
suicide,  and  a  fourth  become  maniacal.  General  par- 
alysis is  a  disease  which  is  usually  the  result  of 
continual  excesses  of  one  sort  or  another ;  but  it 
may  unquestionably  occur  without  any  marked 
excesses,  and  when  it  does,  there  will  mostly  be 


ALCOHOLIC   INHERITANCE. 

discoverable  an   hereditary  taint   in   the   individual. 

"  How  the  running  down  of  stock  through  the 
loss  of  vital  power,  by  hereditary  influences,  should 
swell  the  ranks  of  the  dependent  classes,  or  those 
incapable  of  self-support,  is  obvious ;  but  this  cause 
is  equally  powerful  in  re-enforcing  the  dangerous 
classes  who  fill  our  jails  and  prisons.  Immoral 
training  and  vicious  associations  are  undoubtedly 
among  the  potent  agencies  by  which  these  are  edu- 
cated for  a  career  of  vice  and  crime,  but  a  co-oper- 
ating cause  of  far  greater  power  is  low  organization 
or  defective  cerebral  endowment.  They  begin  life 
with  a  nervous  system  incapable  of  the  higher  con- 
trolling functions.  The  children  of  paupers  gener- 
ally inherit  a  lack  of  bodily  and  mental  vigor,  while 
the  offspring  of  criminals  have  transmitted  to  them 
a  disturbed  balance  of  constitution — an  activity  of 
certain  propensities,  with  a  congenital  weakness  of 
the  restraining  sentiments. 

"  There  is  a  common  opinion  that  in  classes  and 
individuals  of  low  organization  the  purely  animal 
appetites  are  apt  to  be  fierce  and  ungovernable,  but 
it  is  not  so  ;  on  the  contrary,  as  a  general  rule,  the 
whole  nature  is  let  down  and  enfeebled ;  and  persons 
in  this  condition  are  docile  and  easily  governed. 
Sometimes,  indeed,  there  is  fearful  activity  of  the 
animal  nature  in  persons  of  low  organization,  which 
impels  them  to  commit  shocking  outrages;  but  these 


368  ALCOHOLIC   INHERITANCE. 

are  exceptional  cases,  and  the  passions  are  usually 
the  consequences  of  drink  and  insanity,  rather  than 
intensity  of  nature.  As  a  rule,  in  the  classes  marked 
by  low  and  degenerate  organization,  the  animal 
instincts  and  impulses  are  not  stronger  than  in  the 
others.  On  the  contrary,  the  classes  of  higher  bod- 
ily organization  and  vigor  have  more  fire  and 
potency,  even  of  animal  appetites,  and  their  superi- 
ority comes,  not  from  lack  of  impulse,  but  from 
greater  activity  and  power  of  the  restraining  facul- 
ties of  reflection  and  of  conscience. 

"In  the  light  of  these  facts,  the  causes  of  mental 
impairments  acquire  a  new  and  startling  significance. 
The  various  agencies  which  are  adverse  to  health 
not  only  shorten  the  duration  of  life,  but  they 
degrade  its  quality,  while  deteriorated  life  involves 
debilitated  intellect  and  perverted  moral  powers. 
The  general  causes  of  impaired  health,  the  whole 
array  of  bad  physical  conditions,  by  undermining 
the  bodily  vigor  and  lowering  the  nutritive  opera- 
tions, become  powerful  and  extensive  causes  of  men- 
tal impairment,  and  stand  in  close  relation  to  the 
evils  and  vices  of  society.  Their  baneful  influence, 
however,  is  not  measured  by  their  immediate  effects 
upon  the  individual ;  their  power  is  multiplied  by 
transmission,  for  they  inflict  upon  his  posterity  the 
curse  of  a  bad  descent.  Evil  habits  and  bad  condi- 
tions of  life  may  not  in  the  first  case  reach  the  extent 


ALCOHOLIC    INHERITANCE.  369 

of  mental  derangement,  but  they  so  impair  the  vital 
stamina  that  their  victim  bequeaths  to  his  children 
enfeebled  and  degenerated  nervous  organizations, 
which  are  incapable  of  withstanding  the  strains  and 
shocks  of  social  experience.  The  lowered  vitality 
and  perverted  nutrition  of  the  parent  becomes  feeble- 
mindedness in  the  offspring. 

"  Hence,  for  the  moral  and  intellectual  elevation 
of  the  race,  we  are  to  look  not  exclusively  to  educa- 
tion, but  to  whatever  tends  to  improve  the  bodily 
constitution,  and  especially  the  qualities  of  the  brain. 
In  our  schemes  of  philanthropy  we  are  apt  to  deal 
with  men  as  if  they  could  be  moulded  to  any  desir- 
able purpose,  provided  only  the  right  instrumentali- 
ties are  used,  ignoring  altogether  the  fact  that  there 
is  a  physical  organ  in  the  case,  whose  original 
endowments  must  limit  very  strictly  the  range  of  our 
moral  appliances.  But,  while  we  are  bringing  to 
bear  upon  them  all  the  kindly  influences  of  learning 
and  religion,  let  us  not  overlook  those  physical 
agencies  which  determine  the  efficacy  of  the  brain 
as  the  material  instrument  of  the  mind." 


INEBRIETY  A  DISEASE. 


HE  physician  who  is  engaged  in  general 
practice  has  scant  opportunity  to  study 
cases  of  insanity  or  alcoholism,   for   the 
reason,  that  upon  the  active  development 
of  the  one  the  patient  is  removed  to  the 
Insane  Asylum,  and  the  sufferer  from  the 
other  seldom  acknowledges  his  affliction, 
and  repels  all  endeavors  tending  to  an  amelioration 
of  his  condition  until  he  becomes  maudlin,  or  a  so- 
called  criminal,  when  he  is  placed  by  law  in  confine- 
ment, sent  by  his  friends  to  inebriate  retreats,  or  dies 
unexpectedly  from  the  attack  of  some  acute  disease 
or  chronic  disorder  which  has  been  unobserved  in  the 
general  degradation  of  his  condition. 

To  those  who  study  and  practice  upon  special 
phases  of  mental  disorder,  should  we  apply  for  better 
information.  -For  this  enlightenment  the  following 
selected  compilation  from  contributions  to  the  "Alien- 
ist and  Neurologist "  (a  quarterly  journal  of  scien- 
tific, clinical,  and  forensic  psychiatry  and  neurology; 
published  in  St.  Louis,  Mo.)  by  T.  D.  Crothers, 


372  INEBRIETY  A   DISEASE. 

M.  D.,  Superintendent  of  Walnut  Lodge,  Hartford, 
Conn.;  T.  L.  Wright,  M.  D.,  Bellefontaine,  Ohio; 
J.  L.  Hallam,  M.  D.,  Centralia,  Ills.,  is  presented. 

"  When  the  different  phases  of  delirium  noted  in 
inebriety  are  studied  as  particular  stages  of  the  dis- 
ease, one  is  amazed  at  the  new  realm  of  pathological 
and  psychological  facts  which  appear.  Why  certain 
forms  of  delirium  should  be  regarded  as  a  special 
disease,  called  delirium-tremens,  and  exempt  the  per- 
son from  responsibility  in  law,  is  a  mystery.  Why 
this  particular  stage  has  been  so  carefully  studied, 
and  all  the  early  stages  of  the  case  have  been  dis- 
missed with  the  remark,  that  this  or  that  form  of 
alcohol  has  been  used  to  excess,  is  equally  strange. 
No  special  study  of  the  delirium  of  typhoid  or  other 
fevers  would  indicate  the  nature  and  character  of  the 
real  disease.  Hence,  all  study  of  delirium-tremens, 
or  other  forms  of  delirium  coming  from  the  use  of 
alcohol,  are  worthless  and  misleading,  unless  they  are 
combined  as  chapters  in  the  history  of  the  case. 

"  In  all  cases  there  are  distinct  premonitory  stages, 
degrees  of  delirium  and  hallucinations,  that  can  and 
should  be  recognized  ;  groups  of  causes  that  retard  or 
accelerate  the  progress  of  the  case ;  '  switch  points ' 
where  recognition  and  treatment  will  stay  or  cut 
short  the  march  of  the  disease.  Nerve-taints  and 
heredities,  nutrient  perversions,  degenerations  of 


INEBRIETY   A   DISEASE.  373 

both  brain  and  organism,  and  an  almost  infinite 
variety  of  external  and  internal  causes,  enter  into 
the  history  of  the  case,  and  point  to  a  future  state 
of  delirium-tremens,  dementia,  idiocy,  epilepsy,  and 
almost  every  form  of  paralysis  and  insanity. 

"  The  absence  of  any  of  these  facts  is  fatal  to  the 
value  of  the  history  of  the  case.  Attention  is  called 
to  some  of  these  early  stages  of  delirium  that  are 
unrecognized  in  practice  at  present.  In  a  class  of 
persons  who  use  alcohol  to  excess  at  times,  and  are 
not  regarded  as  inebriates,  these  masked  deliriums 
are  often  prominent.  Thus,  in  case  of  a  quiet, 
methodical  business  man,  who  at  times  drank  to 
excess,  then  abstained  for  indefinite  intervals,  during 
and  after  his  drinking  would  manifest  intense  and 
unusual  activity  in  business.  He  would  take  an 
inventory  of  stock,  balance  his  books,  look  over  all 
his  securities,  and  exhibit  great  suspicion  of  being 
cheated.  In  a  few  days  he  would  settle  down  to 
former  habits  of  business.  These  deliriums  always 
came  on  when  using  spirits ;  and  while  his  judgment 
seemed  unimpaired  on  other  matters,  his  desire 'to 
increase  his  business  and  protect  himself  from  loss 
absorbed  every  other  consideration.  In  the  second 
case,  a  lawyer  who  drank  wine  steadily,  and  only 
occasionally  to  excess,  would  at  long  intervals  have 
what  his  friends  termed,  not  inappropriately,  'a  horse 
mania.'  In  this  he  would  go  from  place  to  place 


374  INEBRIETY  A  DISEASE. 

trying-  to  buy  fast  horses.  He  did  not  purchase,  but 
tested  many  horses,  and  talked  a  great  deal  of  their 
merits  and  demerits.  When  free  from  spirits  he 
never  manifested  any  taste  for  horses,  rarely  ever 
rode  behind  one,  and  was  never  seen  on  a  race-track. 
This  delirium  lasted  for  a  few  days,  and  at  no  time 
did  he  seem  unconscious  of  his  acts  and  surroundings, 
and  said,  in  explanation  of  his  strange  conduct,  that 
he  could  not  help  it,  and  he  really  wanted  a  horse  at 
this  time,  but  could  not  be  suited.  In  a  third  case, 
a  farmer  who  usually  drank  to  excess  on  all  holidays 
and  special  occasions  would  have  a  delirium  to  adopt 
small  infants.  He  had  no  children  and  seemed  to 
dislike  them  at  any  other  time.  He  would  in  this 
state  drive  about  the  country  and  talk  and  act  quite 
rational,  visiting  families  who  had  small  babes,  and 
talk  at  great  length  about  adopting  them  as  his  own. 
In  the  fourth  case,  a  physician  who  at  irregular 
intervals  drank  to  excess,  at  the  close  of  his  drinking 
period  became  an  enthusiastic  musician,  buying 
various  horns  and  spending  hours  in  practice.  This 
lasted  two  or  three  days  and  absorbed  every  thought 
and  motion  ;  then  it  was  dropped  and  only  taken  up 
again  when  another  drinking  paroxysm  came  on.  A 
fifth  case  was  that  of  an  inventor,  a  man  of  excellent 
judgment  and  well  read  in  science  and  mechanics. 
He  drank  steadily,  and  at  long  intervals  he  would 
have  delirious  dreams  of  perpetual  motion,  and  shut 


INEBEIETY  A   DISEASE.  375 

himself  up  for  days,  working  on  models  to  demon- 
strate the  idea.  In  another  case,  a  drinking  man, 
who  at  times  was  greatly  intoxicated,  would  recover 
with  profound  convictions  of  speedy  death.  This 
delirium  would  last  two  or  three  days,  during  which 
he  would  make  great  efforts  to  settle  his  business 
and  bid  good-bye  to  his  friends.  These  cases  were 
not  considered  inebriates  or  weak-minded,  but  only 
odd  at  times.  These  so-called  oddities  were  so  many 
symptoms  of  a  grave  disease. 

"  There  is  a  large  class  of  so-called  moderate  drink- 
ers— persons  who  are  not  known  to  use  spirits  to  any 
excess — that  at  times  show  great  changes  of  conduct 
and  character,  often  attributed  to  weak  will  and  vice, 
or  some  state  of  exhaustion  from  over-work.  These 
are  likewise  cases  of  masked  deliriums,  heretofore 
unknown  and  unrecognized.  A  man  of  reputation 
and  character,  who  drinks  at  home  regularly,  suddenly 
disappears  for  two  or  three  days,  then  returns  much 
prostrated  and  remains  temperate  for  a  long  time. 
During  this  time  he  is  engaged  in  excesses  foreign 
to  his  character.  He  is  never  intoxicated,  and  at 
such  times  seldom  drinks,  and  seems  quite  clear  in 
mind.  This  delirium  was  sudden  in  both  onset  and 
termination,  and  did  not  appear  during  two  years  of 
total  abstinence.  A  few  months  after  he  began  to 
use  spirits  it  came  on  again.  A  second  case  is  that 
of  a  quiet,  retiring  physician,  who  uses  spirits  irregu- 


37 Q  INEBRIETY  A   DISEASE. 

larly,  in  moderation.  Suddenly  he  would  develop  a 
religious  delirium,  pray  and  exhort  in  public,  then 
relapse  to  his  old  retiring  habits.  These  states  were 
free  from  any  other  unusual  act  or  conduct,  and  only 
explained  as  impulses  which  he  could  not  and  did  not 
wish  to  control.  A  third  case  was  that  of  a  very 
careful,  methodical  business  man,  who  rarely  went 
away  from  home,  and  lived  a  life  free  from  all  excesses. 
For  ten  years  he  had  used  spirits  at  meals,  and  for 
any  disorder  or  illness.  Suddenly  he  became  very 
restless,  would  drop  all  business  and  go  away  travel- 
ing for  two  or  three  days.  He  seemed  to  have  no 
plan  or  purpose,  only  saying  that  '  he  wished  to  go 
about  a  little.'  These  deliriums  of  travel  increased, 
and,  by  the  advice  of  physicians,  he  went  to. Europe, 
and  came  back  much  worse.  Finally,  he  became 
insane,  and  died  in  the  Asylum.  A  fourth  case 
illustrates  a  large  class  who  are  not  understood.  A 
business  man  living  methodically,  and  in  the  best  sur- 
roundings, using  spirits  on  the  table  and  at  night, 
and  in  comparative  great  moderation,  suddenly  finds 
that  he  cannot  sleep  well,  and  is  filled  with  strong 
suspicions  that  he  is  being  cheated.  In  a  short  time 
this  passes  away,  but  returns  with  greater  intensity. 
A  council  of  physicians  advise  travel  and  rest ;  from 
this  he  returns  worse  than  before.  Finally  a  pro- 
nounced delirium  comes  on,  and  he  is  sent  to  an 
Insane  Asylum.  He  is  discharged,  improved,  but  his 


INEBRIETY  A   DISEASE.  377 

mental  health  is  permanently  impaired.  Had  his 
physicians  recognized  this  incipient  delirium,  and  its 
real  cause — alcohol — his  recovery  could  have  been 
made  permanent  A  similar  case  was  that  of  an 
office  lawyer,  who  lived  an  almost  ideal  life  of  regu- 
larity and  quietness.  From  the  advice  of  a  friend  he 
began  to  use  spirits  at  meals  and  at  bed-time.  Two 
years  later  he  had  short  periods  of  intense  melan- 
choly and  fear  of  death.  He  thought  his  property 
was  insecure  and  his  mind  was  filled  with  omens  of 
coming  disaster.  A  council  of  physicians  advised 
travel  and  change,  but  his  family  physician,  finding 
that  he  inherited  an  alcoholic  taint,  urged  the  giving 
up  of  all  spirits.  The  latter  counsel  was  taken  and 
he  recovered. 

"  These  strange,  unrecognized  deliriums  appear  in 
sudden  changes  of  character  and  conduct,  exhibiting 
strange  instability  of  mind  and  purpose,  and  extreme 
credulity  or  skepticism.  A  man  of  excellent  judg- 
ment will  be  duped  by  the  most  apparent  frauds. 
He  will  exhibit  confidence  where  he  should  not,  and 
suspicion  without  any  occasion.  He  will  have  impres- 
sive dreams  and  act  upon  them,  and  will  become  an 
investigator  of  spirit  phenomena.  Another  class 
suddenly  have  political  ambition  for  office,  and,  if 
wealthy,  are  the  dupes  of  designing  people.  It  may 
be  safely  said,  that  when  a  moderate  (so-called)  or 
excessive  user  of  spirits  suddenly  exhibits  great 


378  INEBRIETY   A   DISEASE. 

changes  of  conduct,  motive  or  character,  he  is  labor- 
ing under  a  delirium. 

"In  some  cases  of  delirium-tremens,  where  the 
early  history  has  been  ascertained,  the  exact  form  of 
the  delirium  has  been  outlined  long  before.  Thus,  a 
man  who,  after  and  during  a  drinking  excess,  has 
dreams  of  injury,  and  nightmares  of  some  horrid 
object  persecuting  him,  or  who  conceives  that  his 
best  friends  are  plotting  his  ruin,  will,  by  and  by, 
suffer  from  a  pronounced  attack  of  delirium-tremens. 
When  these  deliriums  are  only  eccentricities  of  con- 
duct, acts  of  unusual  character  and  strange  mental 
impulses,  the  same  or  worse  stages  of  disease  are 
sure  to  follow.  As  in  sleep,  these  obscure  deliriums 
seem  to  unmask  and  reveal  something  of  the  degen- 
eration going  on  in  the  central  brain  regions.  They 
may  be  traced  in  some  cases  to  certain  mental  states 
and  surroundings,  whose  impress  has  been  fixed  on 
the  brain  in  the  past  In  the  same  way  certain  her- 
editary impulses  are  started  into  activity  and  grow 
up  unexplainable,  unless  they  are  traced  back  to  the 
ancestors.  Often  the  strange  hallucinations  of  sight 
and  hearing,  associated  with  delirium,  have  a  phy- 
sical causation  that  can  be  realized.  Certain  forms 
of  alcoholic  drinks  seem  to  cause  particular  kinds  of 
cell  degenerations  with  special  mental  phenomena. 

"  These  and  other  facts  are  supported  by  clinical 
studies   and  histories  of  cases.     The  practical  fact 


INEBRIETY  A   DISEASE.  379 

most  prominent  is,  that  delirium-tremens,  or  any 
other  form  of  delirium,  will  be  literally  unknown 
unless  its  etiology  is  studied  with  as  much  care  as  its 
symptomatology.  Another  fact  appears  that,  when  it 
is  ascertained  the  patient  uses  spirits,  either  in  excess 
or  in  moderation,  all  forms  of  brain  and  nerve  per- 
versions may  be  expected.  Also,  states  of  altered 
conduct  and  character,  of  short  durations,  are  often 
masked  deliriums  and  stages  of  disease,  the  study 
and  treatment  of  which  gives  promise  of  success 
that  grows  less  as  the  case  goes  on.  A  great  deal 
is  to  be  done  in  this  field  before  all  the  facts  and 
phenomena  of  delirium  following  the  use  of  alcohol 
will  be  understood.  The  recognition  of  inebriety  as 
a  disease,  and  its  transfer  from  the  realms  of  morals 
and  religion  to  that  of  medical  and  scientific  investi- 
gation, will  open  the  door  into  the  field  of  the  great- 
est practical  interest. 

"  The  inebriate  rarely,  if  ever,  comes  under  med- 
ical care  until  he  has  reached  a  chronic  stage  of  the 
disease.  He  is  considered  in  this  anterior  period 
willful  and  wicked,  and  treated  by  moral  suasion)  the 
pledge  and  prayer,  and  punished  by  law,  perhaps, 
all  without  relief.  At  last  he  comes  to  the  Asylum 
and  under  medical  care.  Five,  ten  or  fifteen  years 
of  the  toxic  use  of  alcohol  have  gone  by,  the  patient 
is  a  continuous  or  periodic  inebriate,  has  tried  every 
moral  means  and  failed,  and  yet  his  faith  in  his  abiJ- 


380  INEBRIETY  A   DISEASE. 

ity  to  stop  at  will  is  unshaken.  He  comes  to  the 
Asylum,  in  his  own  estimation,  not  from  any  inabil- 
ity to  abstain  on  his  part,  but  for  some  minor  affec- 
tion, and  to  gratify  others  who  misapprehend  his 
case.  Thus  at  the  start  he  gives  evidence  of  mental 
derangement.  When  his  case  is  studied,  most  deci- 
ded marks  of  both  physical  and  mental  degeneration 
appear.  Congestions,,  and  disturbances  of  heart, 
liver,  stomach,  skin,  and  other  organs,  and  alterations 
of  the  higher  functions  noted  in  change  of  character, 
conduct,  motions,  dispositions  and  emotions,  are 
clearly  apparent.  The  pronounced  character  of  these 
symptoms  of  degradation,  with  the  history  of  their 
duration,  point  to  a  chronic  stage  that  is  present. 
When  these  symptoms  are  noted  and  carefully 
grouped,  they  become  the  starting  point  from  which 
the  march  of  the  disease  can  be  traced  backwards 
to  its  origin.  Notwithstanding  the  difficulties  of  a 
search  down  through  the  realm  where  every  event 
or  phase  was  supposed  to  come  from  wickedness, 
the  great  number  and  variety  of  acts  that  point  to 
the  regular  order  of  progress,  and  distinct  stages  in 
the  case,  show  clearly  that  inebriety,  like  all  other 
diseases,  follows  a  progressive  line  of  dissolution 
from  a  certain  origin,  and  developed  down  to  chron- 
icity  and  death. 

"  It  will  be  understood  by  all  who  have  experience 
in  these  cases,  that  heredity  is  the  largest  and  most 


INEBRIETY  A    DISEASE.  381 

prominent  factor  in  the  causation — a  heredity  that 
dates  back  to  inebriate,  insane,  idiotic,  epileptic  or 
consumptive  parentage.  An  entailment  of  degener- 
ation that  is  likely  to  develop  into  any  one  of  these 
diseases,  depending  upon  some  unknown  determining 
cause ;  also  that  inebriety  is  surely  one  of  this  family 
group,  and  likely  to  come  from  or  merge  back  into 
any  one  of  them.  In  a  study  of  cases  of  inebriety, 
running  back  into  the  earliest  incipient  stages,  many 
and  very  prominent  symptoms  appear  which  may  be 
put  down  as  pathognomic,  and  may  be  divided  into 
two  groups — one,  noted  before  any  spirits  are  used  ; 
the  other,  coming  on  after  alcohol  has  been  used. 
These  are  only  outline  divisions,  and  point  to  periods 
that  may  extend  over  years,  or  be  limited  to  a  few 
weeks.  The  first  may  be  termed  the  pre-alcoholic 
stage,  and  the  second  the  post-alcoholic  period. 
Probably  the  latter  stage  is  more  prominent  and 
traceable,  yet  both  are  physiological  and  pathological 
periods  that  have  never  been  studied  from  this  point 
of  view  before.  It  should  be  remembered  that  in 
nearly  all  these  cases  a  pronounced  heredity  is 
present.  In  these  stages  a  number  of  prominent 
symptoms  appear  and  increase  up  to  a  certain  point, 
where  inebriety  is  generally  recognized ;  then  they 
change  and  are  lost  in  other  and  more  distinct  signs  of 
progressive  degeneration.  Thus,  a  child  at  puberty, 
or  later,  at  full  manhood,  will  develop  an  unstable 


382  INEBRIETY  A   DISEASE. 

brain  and  nerve  organism  easily  exhausted,  associated 
with  a  capricious  appetite  for  foods  and  drink.  This 
will  go  on  increasing  with  varied  and  complex  nervous 
states,  then  inebriety  will  at  once  manifest  itself  un- 
mistakeably,  and  rapidly  pass  to  chronic  stages.  Or 
these  symptoms  of  brain  instability  and  nutrient 
delusions  and  derangements  may  appear  in  previously 
healthy  men,  following  illness,  injury,  or  mental  shock, 
such  as  sorrow,  grief,  loss  and  suffering. 

"In  many  cases  the  history  of  the  incipient  stages 
showed  mental  disturbances  in  relation  to  food  and 
drinks.  In  some  cases  delusions  with  regard  to  care 
of  the  body,  and  sudden  impulsive  ambitions  to  out- 
strip others  in  strength  or  grace  or  beauty ;  or  morbid 
fears  of  death,  or  delusion  as  to  the  power  of  rem- 
edies, and  the  possibilities  of  foods  and  drinks  to 
perpetuate  life  and  keep  away  disease  were  found 
present  in  clergymen  and  literary  men  in  many 
instances,  which  ended  in  inebriety. 

"  Morbid  appetites  and  unusual  tastes,  in  youth  and 
early  manhood,  are  very  strong  hints  of  inebriety, 
which  may  go  on  or  be  checked  by  unknown  causes. 
The  early  history  of  many  cases  points  to  great  mental 
activity  before  inebriety  began,  in  addition  to  these 
nutritive  delusions  which  have  been  described.  One 
case  is  that  of  a  merchant,  who,  from  being  a  very  quiet 
man,  after  the  appearance  of  food  delusions,  seemed 
to  have  a  delirium  of  work,  which  lasted  over  a  year, 


INEBRIETY  A   DISEASE.  383 

then  merged  into  inebriety.  In  another  case  an 
unusual  desire  to  be  noted  was  associated  with  his 
delirious  food  impulses.  Thus,  the  more  accurately 
the  early  history  of  the  inebriate  is  traced,  the  clearer 
the  evidence  of  a  progressive  order  of  symptoms 
appears  before  spirits  are  used,  and  the  subject 
assumes  a  sudden  and  enormous  expansion,  as  this 
new  realm  of  psychological  forces  is  seen  and  com- 
prehended. 

"In  the  second,  or  post-alcoholic  stage,  the  symp- 
toms of  inebriety,  after  alcohol  is  used,  are  recognized 
more  generally.  In  this  class  the  so-called  moderate 
drinker  is  prominent.  Where  he  is  studied  carefully 
his  condition  and  symptoms  are  only  found  to  vary 
from  the  chronic  case  in  degree.  The  delusion  of 
power  to  stop  at  will  is  noted  in  the  chronic  inebriate 
and  the  moderate  drinker.  A  certain  number  of 
moderate  drinkers  continue  in  this  state  a  life-time, 
and  suppose  it  is  owing  to  superior  will-power  that 
they  do  not  become  chronic  cases. 

"  Literally,  it  is  the  absence  of  some  particular 
exciting  cause.  As  in  small-pox,  a  certain  number  of 
cases  who  are  exposed  do  not  take  the  disease.  A 
certain  number  of  cases  with  symptoms  of  incipi- 
ent phthisis  never  go  on  to  full  development ;  so  the 
moderate  drinker  transmits  to  the  next  generation  a 
disease  that  is  sure  to  appear  in  some  of  the  allied 


384  INEBRIETY  A   DISEASE. 

neuroses.*  The  symptoms  of  this  stage  of  moderate 
drinking  vary  widely,  but  all  are  signs  of  change  or 
breaking  down.  Delusions  of  foods  and  drinks,  of 
strength,  of  superior  character,  conduct,  motives,  and 
a  steady  failure  of  the  higher  functions,  seen  in  little 
things — emotional  changes,  states  of  exultation  and 
depression,  great  pride  in  dress  and  surroundings,  or 
the  total  absence  of  it.  In  brief,  the  history  of  the 
moderate  drinker  reflects  nearly  all  the  various  delu- 
sions and  degenerations  of  the  chronic  inebriate.  The 
skilled  psychologist  can  trace  these  in  outline  in 
the  stage  of  the  moderate  use  of  spirits.  In  America 
this  stage  of  moderate  drinking  is  short ;  the  slightest 
strain  or  great  drain  on  the  nervous  system,  and  he  is 
a  chronic  case,  or  dies  of  some  intercurrent  affection. 
"  Another  class  of  cases  has  been  profoundly 
intoxicated  or  poisoned  by  alcohol,  then  abstained 
for  an  indefinite  time,  and  finally  become  inebriates. 
This  period  is  full  of  hints  and  signs  of  oncoming 
inebriety.  This  class  has  peculiar  interest,  because 
many  prominent  temperance  workers  come  from  it, 
and  not  a  few  preachers,  lawyers  and  literary  men  are 
found  in  this  shadowy  border-land  of  disease.  When 
these  cases  come  under  observation,  a  new  continent 

*  NEUROSIS — A  nervous  affection  or  disease.  An  affection  of  the 
nervous  system  occurring  without  any  material  agent  producing  it ; 
without  any  inflammation  or  any  other  constant  structural  change 
which  can  he  detected  in  the  nervous  centers. 


INEBRIETY  A    DISEASE.  335 

of  psychological  facts   appears.     The  following  are 

illustrations  :   A ,  a  distinguished  temperance 

lecturer,  used  alcohol  to  great  excess  for  two  years, 
then  abstained  for  twelve  years,  becoming  famous  in 
the  lecture  field.  He  drank  again.  From  a  study  of 
this  interval  of  sobriety,  it  was  found  to  be  marked  with 
symptoms  of  progressive  degeneration,  that  of  neces- 
sity would  develop  into  inebriety  or  some  one  of  the 
family  group.  Prominent  was  the  almost  sublime 
delusion  in  his  strength  to  resist  all  temptation  to  use 
spirits  again  ;  his  constantly  increasing  egotism,  and 
alternate  activity  and  indolence.  For  days  he  would 
be  plunged  into  deepest  depression,  unless  on  the 
lecture  stand,  when  he  would  appear  in  the  highest 
spirits.  Then  he  would  be  in  a  state  of  great  menf 
tal  exaltation.  He  was  at  times  very  avaricious,  then 
generous,  and  all  his  character  seemed  to  become 
more  uncertain.  His  habits  grew  uncertain.  He 
was  full  of  delusions  of  the  care  of  his  body,  of  food, 
of  drink,  clothing  and  sleep,  and  steadily  lost  faith  in 
the  value  of  honesty  or  respect  for  his  word.  At 
times  he  would  borrow  money  and  refuse  to  pay. 
He  recovered  and  went  back  to  the  lecture  stand,  but 
he  was  a  chronic  inebriate  with  but  little  hope  for  the 
future.  B ,  a  man  of  forty,  drank  to  intoxica- 
tion, and  then  continued  in  moderation  for  several 
months,  and  abstained.  Gradually  he  gave  up  his 
work  (that  of  a  merchant)  and  became  a  lay  preacher. 


386  INEBRIETY   A   DISEASE. 

He  exhibited  great  egotism  and  desire  for  notoriety ; 
would  sacrifice  everything  for  an  opportunity  to 
preach.  His  private  life  was  full  of  petty  selfishness 
and  dishonest  dealings,  grasping,  tyrannical,  and 
changeable  impulses.  All  this  was  foreign  to  his 
usual  manner  and  conduct.  He  became  an  inebriate 
after  an  interval  of  sobriety  lasting  eight  years,  and 
remained  so  until  death.  In  both  these  cases  the 
first  intoxication  had  started  a  train  of  defects  that 
continued  on  through  the  free  interval  of  sobriety> 
and  could  have  been  recognized  by  the  medical  exam- 
iner. The  incipient  stage  in  these  cases  cannot  be 
mistaken,  and  the  careful  observer  will  find  in  many 
circles  men  of  talent  and  prominence  who  have  all 
the  symptoms  of  approaching  inebriety,  or  even  ine- 
briety itself,  while  they  do  not  use  spirits. 

"In  the  periodical  inebriates  and  the  irregular, 
impulsive,  reasoning  drinkers,  there  are  always  many 
and  varied  symptoms  which  show  the  march  of  dis- 
solution and  the  approach  of  the  drink  paroxysm 
with  more  or  less  certainty.  Those  who  are  engaged 
in  treating  inebriates  can  anticipate  the  return  of  the 
drink  craving  by  symptoms  that  are  fixed  and  un- 
changing. So  expert  do  they  become  in  certain 
cases  as  to  be  able,  days  in  advance,  to  predict  the 
drink  storm.  This  study  of  early  symptoms  in 
inebriety  must  of  necessity  be  only  an  outline,  for  the 
reason  that  the  -inquiry  was  begun  in  the  fully  devel- 


INEBRIETY   A    DISEASE.  337 

oped  cases  and  carried  back  to  the  early  stages, 
depending  on  the  memory  of  the  patient  and  friends. 
When  these  statements  were  generally  uniform  and 
consistent  with  the  later  progress  of  the  case,  they 
were  put  on  record  as  entitled  to  confidence.  In 
this  way  outline  forms  of  a  distinct  stage  of  inebriety 
have  appeared,  heretofore  unknown  except  as  a  period 
of  great  wickedness.  This  incipient  stage  may  be 
briefly  noted  as  one  in  which  the  higher  brain  cen- 
tres gradually  lose  the  power  of  performing  their 
higher  and  more  complex  functions.  Various  nervous 
states  and  forms,  with  food  and  nutrient  delusions, 
produce  exhaustion,  which  alcohol  quickly  relieves. 
The  injury  and  change  is  in  the  brain  centres,  in 
most  cases  depending  upon  some  inherited  defect  in 
cell  growth,  or  special  diathesis,  and  starting  into 
activity  from  unknown  causes.  Beginning  long  be- 
fore alcohol  is  used,  and  accelerated  into  chronic 
stages  by  this  drug,  or  kindled  into  activity  by  the 
first  use,  it  becomes  the  disease  of  inebriety  charac- 
terized by  an  insane  and  maniacal  impulse  for  relief 
from  the  nameless  agony  of  the  degenerated  nerve 
centres.  Practically,  the  recognition  of  this  incipient 
stage  of  inebriety  opens  up  a  field  of  possibilities  for 
the  cure  and  prevention,  of  the  greatest  importance. 
As  an  illustration,  the  wild,  impulsive,  irritable  boy, 
who  seems  to  have  no  control  of  himself,  and  goes 
about  almost  lawless ;  who  is  sent  to  sea,  or  to  the 


388  INEBEIETY  A   DISEASE. 

army,  workhouse  or  prison,  and  comes  back  later  a 
chronic  drunkard  —  might  have  been  saved  if  the 
physician  had  been  called  in  and  recognized  in  these 
symptomSjapproaching  inebriety.  The  young  man  just 
entering  business  or  a  profession,  who  has  eccentricities 
of  food,  clothing,  or  conduct,  which  excite  ridicule,  and 
ostracise  him  from  the  sympathy  and  friendship  of 
others,  becomes  an  inebriate.  Had  these  symptoms 
been  recognized,  and  he  placed  under  treatment,  this 
would  have  been  prevented.  Or,  take  a  more  common 
illustration :  The  overworked  business  or  profes- 
sional man  who  finds  all  his  previous  habits,  motives 
and  character  changing,  who  has  food  delusions,  and 
who  is  recommended  bitters  and  spirits  by  the  non- 
expert physician,  and  soon  after  finds  that  he  cannot 
stop  the  use  of  stimulants,  and  is  an  inebriate;  or  the 
still  more  dangerous  practice  of  traveling  abroad  in 
the  wine  countries  of  Europe,  by  men  who  have  all 
these  symptoms  of  nerve  and  brain  degeneration, 
with  nutrient  disturbance  of  both  mind  and  body, 
the  result  of  which,  in  most  cases,  is  to  develop 
inebriety. 

"The  advice  to  travel  is  often  fatal  to  this  rapjdly 
increasing  class  of  sufferers.  All  these  cases  should 
come  under  careful  examination  by  the  physicians; 
the  hereditary  and  mental  and  psychical  hints  of  the 
present  should  be  weighed  as  carefully  as  the  state  of 
the  heart  or  the  nutrition  of  the  body.  Those  cases 


INEBRIETY  A   DISEASE.  389 

should  be  understood,  the  'danger  signals'  recog- 
nized, and  treatment  based  on  them.  The  history 
points  out  stages  where  the  prevention  and  cure 
would  have  been  an  easy  matter ;  but  later,  a  degree 
of  degeneration  has  come  on,  in  which  little  can  be 
done  that  is  permanent.  To  one  who  studies  these 
cases  carefully,  comes  the  most  profound  conviction 
of  disease  following  a  regular  order  of  progress  from 
its  origin  to  the  termination,  over  the  same  roads 
and  bridges,  with  the  same  symptoms  that  can  be 
seen  and  traced ;  stages  of  beginning  and  progress 
when  medical  skill  and  art  are  potent  and  available 
for  cure  and  restoration,  and  later  stages  where  little 
can  be  done  except  to  house  the  patient  and  keep 
him  from  injuring  others.  To  call  attention  to  these 
early  incipient  stages  of  inebriety,  to  explore  and 
map  out  the  boundaries,  is  the  pioneer  work  in  the 
great  unexplored  'dark  continent'  for  scientific  men 
of  to-day. 

"  The  study  of  inebriety  reveals  a  well-marked 
disease  passing  through  various  stages,  traceable  by 
many  and  complex  signs  and  symptoms.  The  incip- 
ient stage  seen  before  spirits  are  used,  is  marked  by 
dietetic  delusions  and  other  symptoms  of  nerve  and 
brain  irritability,  all  of  which  seem  to  depend  on 
heredity  or  some  obscure  injury  to  the  brain  and 
nerve  centers.  A  group  of  symptoms  can  be  found 
in  most  cases  that  may  be  termed  pathognomonic  and 


390  INEBRIETY  A   DISEASE. 

will  be  seen  in  the  later  stages  fully  developed. 
These  early  symptoms  appear  after  the  first  use  of 
alcohol,  and  in  some  cases  go  on  to  full  development, 
or  are  held  in  abeyance  by  some  unknown  force.  Prac- 
tically, the  recognition  and  study  of  this  stage  opens 
up  a  field  of  prevention  and  cure  that  will  attract 
great  attention  at  an  early  day. 

"In  this  brief  glance  of  the  subject,  it  will  be  seen 
that  states  of  intoxication  are  found  in  inebriates  and 
defectives  that  are  positive  inheritances.  The  organ- 
ism has  received  a  positive,  permanent  impression, 
from  which  it  never  recovers ;  an  inherited  pre- 
disposition to  this  form  of  defect.  Undoubtedly,  con- 
ditions of  heredity  control  and  govern  this  condition. 
It  will  be  clear,  from  this  outline-grouping  of  facts  : 
First,  that  symptoms  of  alcoholic  poisoning  cannot 
be  trusted  as  evidence  of  the  immediate  use  of  alco- 
hol ;  second,  that  the  excessive  use  of  alcohol  leaves 
a  permanent  defect  or  impress  on  the  brain,  which 
will  go  down  to  the  future  with  great  certainty,  and 
can  be  traced  back  to  the  injury  from  the  toxic  action 
of  alcohol.  In  brief,  the  range  of  facts  that  open  up 
from  this  point  is  truly  bewildering,  and  their  dis- 
covery, and  the  laws  which  govern  them,  is  the  great 
future  realm  of  investigation. 

"  This  is  the  field  into  which  specialists  press  for- 
ward with  increasing  enthusiasm,  confident  that 
behind  all  this  mystery  of  drink-craving  will  be  found 


INEBRIETY   A    DISEASE.  391 

a  majestic  order  of  forces ;  also,  with  equal  confidence, 
that  not  far  away,  inebriety  and  its  evils  will  be 
understood,  treated  and  prevented,  as  positively  as 
any  other  disease."  %  ^ 

"  These  unfortunate  persons  are  generally  those 
who  are  originally  in  some  way  constitutionally  defect- 
ive, or  those  who  inherit  an  unstable,  nervous  consti- 
tution of  drunken,  neurotic  or  insane  ancestors.  As 
such  they  should  not  be  regarded  in  the  light  of  vol- 
untary offenders  or  hardened  criminals,  but  as  sick 
and  diseased  individuals  who  are  in  need  of  humane 
and  considerate  treatment,  and  who  are,  perhaps,  sus- 
ceptible to  recovery  from  the  disordered  condition, 
and  to  restoration  and  cure  of  the  infirmity.  The 
cause  of  this  present  condition — whether  intemperate 
indulgence  of  vicious  propensities,  or  any  other  rea- 
son— is  not  now  a  subject  for  consideration.  The 
mental  and  physical  requirements  of  the  patient  are 
to  be  chiefly  regarded.  Dr.  Bodington,  at  a  recent 
meeting  of  the  British  Medical  Association,  said : 
'  For  my  part  I  look  upon  all  habitual  drinking  as  a 
disease,  and  I  would  boldly  call  it  dipsomania.'  And 
the  American  Association  for  the  Cure  of  Inebriates 
takes  the  broad  ground  that  '  Intemperance  is  a 
disease.' 

"Here,  our  greatest  need  in  the  proper  care  of 
these  unfortunates  becomes  strikingly  manifest.  We 


392  INEBRIETY  A   DISEASE. 

have  continually  in  our  midst  a  class  of  patients  of 
deficient  will-power,  or  nervous  force,  or  principle, 
as  we  may  choose  to  call  it,  who  become  the  subjects 
of  public  care,  and  are  daily  becoming  such  in 
increasing  numbers.  Their  existence  as  a  class  has 
been  recognized,  and  their  needs  partially  expressed, 
but  in  all  our  broad  land  there  is  not  an  institution 
or  establishment  properly  adapted  to  their  reception, 
or  remedial  or  curative  treatment,  or  for  their  care  if 
incurable. 

"The  fact  that  they  are  frequently,  and  indeed 
generally,  brought  to  our  notice  through  the  commis- 
sion of  some  act  which  calls  for  the  intervention  of 
the  civil  law,  should  not  blind  our  eyes  to  the  equally 
evident  fact  that  accountability  may  be  more  or  less 
deficient,  or  entirely  wanting,  in  the  subject  of  the 
misdemeanor,  and  that  he  is  in  just  this  degree  in- 
capable of  the  commission  of  crime,  or  amenable  to 
its  penalties." 


*       * 
* 


"  There  is  a  limit  to  the  nervous  capacity  of  deal- 
ing with  the  intangible  essences  of  mind  and  spirit. 
There  is  a  point  among  the  imperceptible  agencies 
concerned  in  the  operations  of  living,  beyond  which 
the  legitimate  authority  of  the  nervous  system  cannot 
go.  While  the  greater  number  of  men  possess  an 
even  and  controllable  sensibility  of  nerve,  adapted  to 
the  conditions  of  a  uniform  and  subordinate  life, 


INEBRIETY  A    DISEASE.  393 

still  there  are  many  who  are  ruled  by  a  nervous  sys- 
tem so  acute  and  over-sensitive,  that  they  are  con- 
tinually on  the  rack  of  uncertainty  and  discontent. 

"It  is  true,  the  intensity  of  such  a  nervous  sys- 
tem may  be  the  means,  at  times,  of  perceiving  things 
and  their  relationships,  which  are  imperceptible  to 
common  minds.  The  highest  achievements  of  lit- 
erature, of  deeds,  fall  to  the  lot  of  minds  like  these 
— those  who  feel  keenly,  write  clearly,  and  speak 
grandly.  But  the  lowest  depths  of  anxiety  and 
despair  are  not  unknown  to  these  bright  minds. 
Sometimes  the  imagination  is  elevated  into  a  sphere 
of  grandeur,  of  nobility,  and  of  the  most  exalted 
sublimity;  anon,  it  'falls  like  a  falling  star'  into 
regions  of  gloom — melancholic,  suicidal.  All  minds 
are  subject  to  moods  and  periodicities,  but  the  acutely 
sensitive  mind  is  peculiarly  subject  to  them.  To  a 
mental  and  physical  organism  thus  tried  and  tossed 
upon  the  ocean  of  time,  how  alluring,  how  welcome 
is  a  haven  of  rest ! 

"  Sometimes  by  mere  chance,  and  again,  perhaps, 
with  a  purpose,  the  alcoholic  cup  finds  its  way  to  the 
lips  of  the  man  with  unstable  and  quivering  nerves. 
Instantly  the  exalted  sensibilities  of  the  nervous  sys- 
tem are  allayed.  Forebodings  cease  to  disquiet,  and 
a  pleasing  sense  of  repose  tranquilizes  the  body  and 
comforts  the  spirits.  The  paralyzing  influence  of 
alcohol  relieves  the  grievous  worry  of  the  whole 


394  INEBRIETY   A    DISEASE. 

being.  A  first  experience  of  this  kind  is  like  a 
pleasing  revelation.  The  mind  revels  in  bright 
imaginings  without  a  single  pang  of  distress.  The 
galling  sense  of  responsibility  and  the  dread  of  im- 
pending but  undefined  evils  are  removed.  Mental 
work  is  easy  and  agreeable.  Happy  thoughts  and 
grand  ideas  throng  upon  the  imagination  in  endless 
succession,  and  everything  appears  clear  and  beauti- 
ful. It  is  not  strange,  when  alcohol  produces  such 
effects  as  these,  upon  a  mind  naturally  given  up  to 
trouble  and  unrest,  that  a  resort  should  be  had  to  its 
soothing  influences,  not  only  with  frequency,  but 
with  determination.  And  if  this  were  all,  alcohol 
would  seem  to  be  a  friend,  indeed. 

"It  will  be  observed  that,  while  the  real  object  of 
the  occasional  drinker  is  to  secure  the  supposed  im- 
provement of  some  special  quality  of  body  or  mind, 
the  object  of  the  periodical  drunkard  is  to  obtain  rest; 
repose  of  mind  and  body.  He  seeks,  in  fact,  the 
paralysis  of  alcohol  to  quiet  the  perturbations  of  a 
sleepless  nerve  activity.  Therefore,  he  drinks  for 
the  sake  of  drunkenness ;  for  the  sake  of  what- 
ever there  is  in  it  that  will  act  as  a  sedative  to  his 
nervous  irritability.  It  has  been  said  that  inebriety 
is  a  crave  of  overwhelming  power  for  intoxication — 
not  intoxicating  liquors.  This  may  be  an  inheritance. 

"It  is  true  that  certain  traits  and  conditions  of 
body  and  nerve  are  transmitted,  in  some  degree, 


INEBRIETY   A    DISEASE.  395 

from  ancestry  to  posterity.  The  conditions  of  nerv- 
ous constitutions  which  find  relief  in  alcohol,  may, 
through  heredity,  become  the  conditions  of  a  simi- 
lar constitution  in  posterity.  The  conclusion  is,  that 
whatever  affords  rest  to  the  nerve  instability  in  the 
progenitor,  will  also  afford  relief  to  a  like  nervous  con- 
dition in  his  offspring.  In  this  sense,  the  alcoholic 
appetite  may  be  called  hereditary.  Alcoholic  indulg- 
ence is  a  potent  factor  in  producing  both  functional 
and  structural  degeneration  in  the  nervous  constitu- 
tion, and  to  say  that  alcoholic  proclivity  is  inher- 
itable, is  not  wholly  wrong.  That  the  status  of 
nerve  energy,  the  data  of  nervous  manifestations,  are 
often  derived  from  ancestry,  not  only  in  the  matter 
of  impulsive  drunkenness,  but  in  many  other  par- 
ticulars, must  be  apparent  to  honest  and  capable 
observation. 

'*  Any  very  slight  singularity  of  position  or  arrange- 
ment among  the  cells  of  the  brain,  is  probably 
conducive  to  singular  habits.  A  gentleman,  when 
in  the  days  of  his  childhood,  had  an  inveterate 
habit  of  chewing  his  finger  nails,  and  it  was  only 
after  he  was  compelled  to'  use  his  hands  in  employ- 
ments that  were  incompatible  with  this  bad  habit, 
that  he  could  relinquish  it.  A  considerable  number 
of  his  posterity  have  the  same  habit  up  to  eight  or 
ten  years  of  age,  and  it  seems  impossible  to  break 
them  of  it  by  any  effort  of  their  own. 


396  INEBRIETY  A   DISEASE. 

"  There  is  a  peculiarity  about  the  drinking  dispo- 
sition of  the  impulsive  inebriate.  His  potations  are 
only  limited  by  the  bounds  of  physical  endurance. 
Alcibiades,  among  the  ancients,  was  a  spasmodic 
inebriate.  His  impetuous  and  impulsive  act  of  throw- 
ing himself  before  the  wheels  of  a  moving  wagon, 
while  he  was  yet  a  youth,  in  order  to  secure  a  trifling 
demand,  was  only  of  a  piece  with  the  long  train  of 
desperate  and  impulsive  movements  which  character- 
ized much  of  his  life,  both  drunken  and  sober.  It 
is  a  common  threat  of  a  certain  spasmodic  drinker, 
that  he  will  cast  himself  beneath  the  wheels  of  a  pass- 
ing locomotive  in  case  he  is  checked  in  some  unrea- 
sonable conduct.  It  is  by  no  means  sure  that,  in  a 
spirit  of  drunken  and  insane  bravado,  he  would  not 
carry  out  his  threat.  The  obstacles  imposed  by  the 
paralysis  of  alcohol  upon  the  right  exercise  of  both  the 
intellectual  and  moral  faculties,  are  really  surprising." 

Who  is  the  spasmodic  drunkard,  and  what  are 
his  natural  associations  and  relationships  ? 

In  answering  these  questions,  the  testimony  of 
authorities  that  are  unimpeachable  will  be  relied  on 
exclusively. 

The  distinguished  writer  and  thinker,  Dr.  Louis 
D.  Mason,  states  the  proposition  :  "Alcoholism  in 
progenitors  will  produce  physical  and  mental  degen- 
eration in  their  descendants,  such  as  epilepsy,  chorea, 


INEBRIETY   A   DISEASE.  397 

paralysis,  imbecility,  insanity,  and  idiocy;  and  the 
laws  which  regulate  these  degenerative  changes,  are 
similar  to  those  that  govern  degenerative  changes 
from  other  inherited  causes. 

'  It  is  to  these  laws,  governing  the  degenerative 
processes,  that  attention  is  solicited.  From  them  the 
inference  will  be  that  spasmodic  drunkenness  is  a 
member  of  the  family  of  insane  neuroses.  That  is, 
one  of  the  characteristic  freaks  of  insanity,  just  as 
epilepsy,  chorea,  some  forms  of  neuralgia,  and  imbe- 
cility, are  members  of  one  and  the  same  insane 
family  connection.  It  will  be  observed  that  the 
insane  neuroses  are  classified  together  by  the  best 
authorities,  and  that  spasmodic  drunkenness  is  named 
as  one  of  them." 

Dr.  Blanchford  says:  '  The  particular  character 
of  mania  depends  upon  the  character  of  the  individ- 
ual. A  person  may  at  one  time  be  melancholic,  and 
at  another  maniacal.  But  the  same  form  of  insane 
demonstration  may  frequently  be  seen  in  successive 
generations,  as  suicidal  mania  and  hereditary  drunk- 
enness." 

Dr.  D.  H.  Tuke  enquires:  "When  mental  dis- 
ease is  transmitted,  does  the  same  form  of  insanity 
descend?  Very  frequently  this  appears  to  be  the 
case.  Of  drunkenness  the  cases  are  so  common 
that  it  is  not  necessary  to  detail  any  example." 

"  Not  one  of  the  transmitted  wrongs,"  says  Dr. 


398  INEBRIETY  A   DISEASE. 

B.  W.  Richardson,  "  is  more  certainly  passed  on  to 
those  yet  unborn,  than  the  wrongs  which  are  inflicted 
by  the  use  of  alcohol." 

Dr.  Parrish  remarks  :  "  Some  persons  are  born 
with  an  alcoholic  diathesis.  It  is  the  internal  craving 
for  liquors  for  their  intoxicating  effect,  that  consti- 
tutes the  disease,  and  not  the  drunkenness." 

"  This  distinction  is  a  sound  one.  The  disease  is 
inward  ;  the  symptom,  the  drunkenness,  is  external ; 
and  drunkenness,  the  crave  for  intoxication  materi- 
alized, is  a  symptom  of  more  than  one  pathological 
state.  The  fact  is,  the  original  trouble  causing  the 
alcoholic  crave,  is  no  longer  operating  alone.  While 
it  remains  the  same,  there  are  associated  with  it  new 
complications,  which  also  demand  the  alcoholic 
excitement.  The  increasing  demand  for  alcohol  is, 
therefore,  indicative  of  additional  morbid  changes  in 
the  constitution,  not  of  additional  strength  in  the 
original  appetite.  The  reckless  manner  of  drinking 
favors  the  production  of  physical  changes  in  the 
bodily  structure ;  and  these,  being  degenerative, 
instinctively  require  a  more  frequent  resort  to  alco- 
holic influences  in  order  to  keep  up,  temporarily,  the 
failing  powers  of  important  organs,  it  is  in  conse- 
quence of  such  facts  as  these,  and  of  certain  func- 
tional disabilities  following  their  establishment,  that 
the  casual  drinker  may  be  transformed  into  the 
habitual  drinker ;  and  the  periodic?!  inebriate  is 


INEBRIETY  A   DISEASE.  390 

almost  sure  to  undergo  a  similar  transformation  and 
become  a  chronic  inebriate. 

"  It  has  been  said,  that  the  impulse  to  drink  is  more 
urgent  in  some  persons  than  in  others.  In  opinions 
respecting  responsibility  for  crime,  this  should  be 
taken  into  consideration.  The  strength  of  the  im- 
pulse may  be  measured,  not  only  by  the  facts  in  issue, 
but  more  particularly  by  the  history  of  the  besetment ; 
as,  whether  ancestry  was  truly  insane,  and  the  like. 
This  will  also  measure  the  resisting  capacity,  a  very 
important  matter  in  the  question.  For  it  is  impos- 
sible to  conceive  that  a  man  is  truly  sane  who  is  beset 
with  a  proclivity  that  his  judgment  and  will  cannot 
control." 


*       * 

* 


What  shall  be  done  with  the  inebriate  ? 

"  Although  the  alienists  have  pretty  clearly  defined 
the  mental  status  of  the  chronic  inebriate,  yet  their 
views  have  not  been  generally  adopted  by  our  profes- 
sion ;  and  the  legal  profession,  with  a  few  honorable 
exceptions,  still  hold  to  the  belief  that  drunkenness  is 
not  a  symptom  of  a  diseased  brain,  but  a  wilful  viola- 
tion of  statutory  and  moral  law.  The  answer  to 
the  above  question  must  come  clear  and  emphatic 
from  the  medical  profession.  No  fine  spun  theories 
of  legal  or  moral  ethics  have  yet  explained  that 
overpowering  crave  for  alcohol,  which  is  always 
manifested  by  the  chronic  inebriate." 


400  INEBRIETY  A   DISEASE. 

Attention  is  called  to  the  fact  that  the  words  of 
the  learned  expert,  here  quoted,  have  no  reference 
to  moral  questions  involved  with  the  use  of  alcohol, 
but  apply  to  the  man  as  one  mentally  diseased. 

"  But  the  most  important  question  to  be  deter- 
mined by  our  profession  is  this :  Do  the  cell  changes 
which  occur  in  the  brain  of  the  drunkard,  become 
fixed  to  such  a  degree  as  to  be  transmitted  in  his 
offspring  ?  This  is  the  most  important  field  of  inves- 
tigation. The  present  drunkards  will  soon  pass 
away ;  but  few  live  to  old  age.  But  the  number  is 
increasing  from  year  to  year.  What — if  anything — 
can  be  done  to  arrest  this  increase  ? 

"  Notwithstanding  prominent  alienists,  neurolo- 
gists and  physicians,  by  patient,  earnest  investiga- 
tion, have  arrived  at  apparently  sound  conclusions, 
relative  to  the  hereditary  transmission  of  alcoholic 
diathesis,  yet  more  light  is  required  to  produce  a 
unanimous  belief  in  its  truth,  and  to  convince  the 
legal  profession,  and  the  people,  that  the  chronic 
inebriate  is  of  unsound  mind,  and  that  his  offspring 
does  inherit  an  abnormal  nervous  diathesis,  which 
may  manifest  itself  in  drunkenness,  insanity,  or  some 
other  form  of  brain  and  nerve  disturbance. 

"Whenever  the,  medical  profession  are  a  unit  on 
this  grave  question,  the  victory  over  prejudice,  born 
of  ignorance,  is  assured,  and  the  drunkard  will  be 


INEBRIETY   A    DISEASE. 

placed  under  proper  treatment,  or  the  causes  which 
produce  the  disease  will  be  removed. 

"  There  are  only  two  methods  of  arriving  at  cor- 
rect conclusions  on  any  scientific  truth ;  the  first  is 
by  our  own  individual  investigation ;  the  second,  by 
the  investigation  of  others. 

"  As  a  general  proposition,  when  the  opportunities 
are  favorable,  our  own  individual  investigation  gives 
the  most  satisfactory  results.  Therefore,  I  would 
suggest  that  each  physician  investigate  for  himself 
the  subject  of  inebriety  in  all  its  bearings  upon  the 
inebriate  and  his  offspring. 

"The  field  is  wide,  the  material  abundant;  the 
opportunities,  unfortunately  for  humanity,  are  to  be 
found  in  every  community,  and  the  labor  will  be 
comparatively  light. 

"  This  form  of  cumulative  information  will  have 
an  important  bearing  on  the  future,  and  may  serve  as 
a  basis  for  a  more  united  action. 

"  To  illustrate  my  meaning  more  fully,  permit  me 
to  give  a  few  cases  which  I  have  studied  with  little 
labor  and  tax  upon  my  time. 

"A.,  an  habitual  drunkard,  died  in  the  prime  of 
life.  Two  children  were  born  during  the  period  of 
his  inebriety  ;  one  died  at  the  age  of  thirty,  of  apo- 
plexy, and  the  other  is  now  in  an  insane  asylum. 

"  B.  was  a  periodic  inebriate,  naturally  of  good 
constitution  and  business  qualifications.  He  had 


26 


402  INEBRIETY  A    DISEASE. 

three  sons,  all  temperate  and  steady  in  habits  while 
young.  One  died  early  of  consumption,  although 
there  was  no  family  history  of  disease  on  either  side 
of  the  descent.  A  second  died  of  some  obscure 
disease  in  which  the  neurotic  element  was  strongly 
marked ;  and  the  third,  at  the  age  of  forty-five,  became 
a  confirmed  sot,  with  strong  homicidal  tendencies. 

"  C.  was  for  many  years  a  confirmed  sot.  He 
had  three  sons.  The  youngest  had  the  neurotic 
temperament  strongly  marked  ;  was  restless,  vacil- 
lating, easily  excited,  passionate,  and  an  impulsive 
drinker.  The  second,  at  the  age  of  forty-five, 
became  a  periodic  drinker,  and  is  now  hopelessly 
bound  by  an  insatiable  crave  for  intoxicating  drink. 

"  D.,  a  man  of  good  brain,  had  accumulated  a  fair 
competency,  and,  by  slow  degrees,  had  become  an 
inebriate.  He  had  three  sons,  all  nervous  and  irri- 
table, and  subject  to  uncontrollable  fits  of  anger  on 
the  slightest  cause.  One  died  early  from  nervous 
affection ;  the  second,  at  the  age  of  thirty,  filled  a 
drunkard's  grave,  and  the  third  is  now  a  hard  and 
constant  drinker. 

"  E.  had  a  large  family ;  was  one  of  the  finest 
mechanics  I  ever  knew ;  of  intellectual  development 
far  above  the  average.  He  early  fell  a  victim  to 
intemperance.  Out  of  a  family  of  nine  children,  all 
but  the  eldest  were  of  low  moral  and  intellectual 
development ;  some  died  early  of  convulsions ;  others, 


INEBRIETY   A   DISEASE.  493 

still  living,  are  wanderers  on  the  face  of  the  earth, 
continually  begging  for  whisky  or  the  money  with 
which  to  purchase  it. 

"  These  are  but  a  few  cases  taken  at  random  from 
many  of  like  nature,  which  have  come  under  my 
own  personal  observation  during  a  professional  life 
extending  over  a  period  of  well-nigh  forty  years. 

"In  taking  these  five  families  and  comparing  them 
with  five  families  under  like  circumstances,  where 
there  was  no  drunkenness  in  their  history,  direct  or 
remote,  the  contrast  is  startling  and  worthy  of  care- 
ful study. 

"If  the  experience  of  you,  my  brethren,  harmon- 
izes with  that  of  myself,  the  question,  '  What  shall  be 
done  with  the  inebriate  ? '  is  easily  solved.  Either 
remove  the  drunkard  from  the  liquor,  or  place  the 
liquor  beyond  the  reach  of  the  drunkard.  The 
former  cannot  be  done ;  the  latter  must  be  done,  if 
we  would  escape  the  opprobrium  that  we  are  fast 
becoming  a  nation  of  drunkards. 

"Many  honest,  but  ignorant,  efforts  have  been 
made  to  reclaim  the  drunkard.  So  far  all  have  sig- 
nally failed  to  arrest  the  onward  march  of  that 
terrible  disease  which  fills  the  land  with  mourning, 
and  our  cemeteries  with  dishonored  graves.  If 
drunkenness  is  a  disease  let  us  boldly  proclaim  it. 
If  the  disease  of  the  father  is  visited  upon  his 
children  and  his  children's  children,  let  us  write 


404  INEBRIETY  A   DISEASE. 

so  plainly  that  judge  and  jury,  prosecutor  and 
defender,  the  learned  and  the  ignorant,  may  read 
and  understand." 


AUTHOR'S   COMMENTS. 

It  would  seem  a  superfluous  labor  to  place  any 
further  argument  before  the  man  to  convince  him, 
that  by  the  use  of  alcoholic  drinks  he  not  only 
reduces  his  own  capabilities  for  the  promotion  of 
mental  and  moral  health,  but  also  endows  his  family, 
and  through  them  the  coming  race,  with  weaknesses 
which  tend  towards  mental  and  moral  dementia. 

One  other  illustration  of  the  powerful  action  of 
unassimilative  substances  upon  the  mental  organism, 
will  be  of  interest. 

In  the  Insane  Asylums  of  California  are  many 
Chinese,  and  the  greater  proportion  of  these  are 
afflicted  with  the  insanity  that  develops  from  within, 
and  which  is  the  result  of  hereditary  tendencies. 
Almost  without  exception,  these  people  in  their 
demonstrations  reveal  the  action  of  opium  as  it  is 
noticed  in  the  habitual  user ;  a  peaceful  quiet,  a  com- 


AUTHOR'S    COMMENTS.  4Q5 

panionship  with  self;  a  disregard  of  surroundings, 
and  a  somnolency  of  passions.  Bearing  always  in 
mind  that  no  opium  is  allowed  them,  and  that  they 
are  never  under  its  direct  influence,  the  inference 
that  their  insanity  is  the  result  of  ancestral  excesses 
in  the  use  of  this  drug,  assumes  the  strength  of  a 
positive  knowledge. 

The  attendant  who  finds  his  time  and  patience 
fully  employed  in  the  care  of  fifteen  of  other  nationali- 
ties, would  gladly  exchange  places  with  the  more 
fortunate  one  who  cares  for  forty  patients  in  a 

Chinese  ward.  *      * 

* 

Regarding  the  illusive  appearance  of  colors,  the 
hallucination  of  sounds  and  their  investment  of 
objects,  loathsome  and  otherwise,  as  delineated  in 
the  delirium-tremens  scene — assurance  is  here  given 
that  the  writer's  imagination  was  allowed  no  privi- 
leges, but  that  in  this  scene  are  embodied  the  actual 
experiences  of  three  subjects  who  hold  in  their 
memory  the  vivid  horrors  of  the  action  of  alcohol 
upon  the  sensory  organs,  subjectively.  To  them, 
these  appearances  were  real.  To  aid  the  reader  to  a 
better  appreciation  of  this  scene,  it  should  be  said, 
that  the  three  experiences  are  isolated  between  the 
strokes  of  the  clock,  but  blended  into  one  by  the 
distraction  of  sounds  and  colors,  and  Haldon's  insane 
delusion  of  weapon  and  fiend. 


406  AUTHOR'S    COMMENTS. 

For  the  further  interest  and  information  of  the 
reader,  regarding  the  action  of  illusion,  delusion  or 
hallucination  upon  the  subject,  not  only  in  delirium, 
but  through  the  whole  history  of  insane  demon- 
strations, the  following  is  presented — found  in  Hux- 
ley and  Youmans'  Physiology : 

"  There  are  no  delusions  of  the  senses ;  phe- 
nomena of  this  kind  are  not  uncommonly  called 
delusion  of  the  senses,  but  there  is  no  such  thing  as  a 
fictitious,  or  delusive  sensation.  A  sensation  must 
exist  to.be  a  sensation;  and,  if  it  exists,  it  is  real, 
and  not  delusive.  But  the  judgment  we  form 
respecting  the  causes  and  conditions  of  the  sensa- 
tions of  which  we  are  aware,  are  very  often  delusive 
enough ;  and  such  judgments  may  be  brought 
about  in  the  domains  of  every  sense,  either  by  arti- 
ficial combinations  of  sensations,  or  by  the  influ- 
ence of  unusual  conditions  of  the  body  itself.  The 
latter  give  rise  to  what  are  called  subjective  sen- 
sations. 

"Among  subjective  sensations  within  the  domain 
of  touch,  are  the  feelings  of  creeping  and  pricking  of 
the  skin,  which  are  not  uncommon  in  certain  states 
of  the  circulation.  The  subjective  evil  smells,  and 
bad  tastes,  which  accompany  some  diseases,  are 
probably  due  to  similar  disturbances  in  the  circula- 
tion of  the  sensory  organs  of  smell  and  taste. 


AUTHOR'S    COMMENTS.  407 

"  Many  persons  are  liable  to  what  may  be  called 
auditory  spectra — music  of  various  degrees  of  com- 
plexity sounding  in  their  ears,  without  any  external 
cause,  while  they  are  wide  awake  ;  and  every  one 
must  have  been  startled,  at  times,  by  the  extreme 
distinctness  with  which  thoughts  have  embodied 
themselves  in  apparent  voices. 

"The  most  wonderful  exemplifications  of  sub- 
jective sensations,  however,  are  afforded  by  the 
organ  of  sight. 

"  Any  one  who  has  witnessed  the  sufferings  of  a 
man  laboring  under  delirium-tremens  (a  disease  pro- 
duced by  excessive  drinking),  from  the  marvelous 
distinctness  of  his  vision,  which  sometimes  takes  the 
forms  of  devils,  sometimes  of  creeping  animals,  but 
always  of  something  fearful  or  loathsome,  will  not 
doubt  the  intensity  of  subjective  sensations  in  the 
domain  of  vision. 

11  What  the  senses  testify  is  neither  more  nor  less 
than  the  fact  of  their  own  affection.  As  to  the 
cause  of  that  affection  they  really  say  nothing,  but 
leave  the  mind  to  form  its  own  judgment  on  the 
matter." 


A  woman's  privilege  it  is,  to  reserve  herself  from 
alliances  that  may  accomplish  the  degradation  of  her 
own  higher  moralities,  and  the  mental  and  physical 
inferiority  of  her  children.  The  danger  of  trans- 


408  AUTHOR'S    COMMENTS 

mitting  insanity  to  her  posterity  by  a  union  with  one 
who  is  addicted  to  the  use  of  nerve-stimulants,  is 
not  the  only  consideration  to  which  she  should  give 
attention.* 

Look  about  you — this  applies  to  all  latitudes  and 
longitudes  where  men  use  alcohol  as  a  beverage — 

o  o 

and  note  the  action  of  this  nerve-taint  in  the  homes. 

You  will  see  nervous  and  hysteric  women,  melan- 
choly and  irritable  school  girls,  pale  faces,  inferior 
and  unsymmetrical  bodies,  with  weak  and  perverted 
mentalities  ;  and  these,  in  growing  numbers.  Your 
remoter  maternal  ancestors  were  not  thus. 

In  the  offices,  in  the  stores,  in  the  shops,  upon  the 
street,  and  upon  the  farms,  you  will  see  men  and 
boys  with  weak  brain  power  and  sluggish  thought ; 
with  inferior  physical  forms  and  vigor;  with  strange 
fancies  leading  to  delusive  conclusions;  nervous 
impulses  tending  to  excesses ;  all  these,  men  and 
women,  bearing  upon  their  conditions  the  heredi- 
tary stamp  of  the  great  nerve-destroyer ;  all  these, 
men  and  women,  sojourning  in  the  border-land  of 
insanity. 

Woman  !  aid  not  in  the  perpetuation  of  such  as 
these.  Civilization  has  nearly  reached  the  altitude 

*The  same  agency  which  produces  inherited  insanity,  produces 
also  inherited  nervous  irregularities,  insomnia,  irritability,  insta- 
bility of  mental  and  physical  action,  and  inferiority  of  mind  and 
body. 


AUTHOR'S    COMMENTS.  4Q9 

where  tardy  justice  will  clothe  you  with  the  political 
power  to  end  this  mighty  evil.  Until  that  time  pro- 
tect your  womanhood  as  best  you  may.  Withhold 
yourself  from  him  who  reveals  the  effect  of  drink, 
direct  or  inherited.  Taste  not,  yourselves.  That 
woman  may  drink  wine,  is  the  libertine's  hope. 


PUBLISHER'S    COMMENTS. 

We  call  attention  to  the  fact  that  the  concluding 
chapter  of  this  book  is  not  the  expression  of  mere 
private  opinion,  but  consists,  in  the  main,  of  medical 

testimony. 

PUBLISHER. 


TF  THIS  BOOK  SHOULD  BE  THE  MEANS  OF  HOLDING  ONE 
GENEROUS  HEARTED  YOUTH  FROM  THE  DRINK  THAT 
WILL  DEGRADE  HIS  INTELLECT,  OR  ONE  PURE  MAIDEN 
FROM  THE  IMPULSE  THAT  MIGHT  LEAD  HER  AND  HER 
CHILDREN  INTO  A  LIFE  OF  SORROW,  THEN  AM  I  RE- 
WARDED FOR  MY  EFFORT,  A  THOUSAND-FOLD. 


A     000  090  056     3 


